Proposed New Kazakh-Russia-Mongolia Highway Would Connect Astana With Ulaan Baatar

Kazakhstan and Mongolia plan to build a new highway between the two countries through Russia, pending approval from the Russian authorities, according to the Kazakh Transport Ministry. The route will connect the Kazakh cities of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Ridder, as well as Tuekta in Russia’s Altai Republic, leading to the Mongolian border at Khyagt and the highway to Ulaan Baatar.

The Kazakh section of the route, 189 km from Ust-Kamenogorsk to the Russian border, has already been built. Most of the route will be in Russia, and if the Russian authorities agree to the project, the total distance from the Kazakh to Mongolian border will be 837 km. At present, the available routes are 1,604km. The new highway would also serve as a potential overland route between Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, and Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia’s capital. It would also help establish Tuekta as a Russian intermediary hub between the two.

In July this year, the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Mongolia discussed the road project as part of efforts to improve transportation links between their countries, as it is expected to significantly shorten travel time, enhance transport connections between Kazakhstan and Mongolia, and strengthen economic and cultural ties. The key to the route is approval and funding by the Republic of Altai government and possibly the Russian central government.

Mongolia is currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Kazakhstan and Russia and is scheduled to be finalized in December.