The development of the master plan and macro-model of Tashkent's transport system is scheduled for completion by the end of September 2026. This deadline was set in a resolution of the Tashkent City Kengash dated July 22, which was based on a report by Abdurakhmon Bakhtiev, Deputy Hokim of Tashkent for Transport and Road Infrastructure.
The international firm STEP City was selected as the winner of the tender, in which over 90 companies from countries such as the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Russia, Sweden, and France participated. STEP City was tasked with completing the preparation of the necessary documents by the end of September.
The transport master plan is intended to describe the development of the capital's transport system until 2045. The Tashkent City Hokimiyat announced a call for applications in February, and document submission was accepted through the Traffic Management Center until March 9.
STEP City specializes in transport planning, urban mobility, and digital traffic management. According to the company, its portfolio includes over 500 projects in 30 cities across Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan. Previously, the company had developed an urban mobility strategy for Tashkent, which included an analysis of the transport system, proposals for road safety and infrastructure, the architecture of an intelligent transport system, a prototype of the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) application, and a digital platform for the Situational Awareness Center.
In parallel, municipal authorities continue to modernize the capital's transport infrastructure. Technical requirements for implementing an intelligent transport system were prepared with the participation of German specialists. Furthermore, the authorities held negotiations with twelve companies experienced in adaptive traffic light management and AI-based traffic flow analysis.
As part of 'quick win' initiatives, streets totaling 260 kilometers were surveyed. Solutions were developed using topographic maps, drone data, and intensity measurements at 271 intersections. 3946 traffic lights were installed at these intersections, which, according to the Kengash resolution, automatically extend green signals on heavily congested routes to create continuous 'green corridors.'
In addition, municipal crews installed 1349 new road signs, replaced 2909 existing signs, and marked roads over an area of 176 kilometers in Tashkent. Scheduled repairs were carried out on nearly 720,000 square meters of asphalt pavement. To reduce congestion, construction work was performed at 61 intersections. Additionally, 2889 street lighting poles and 902 advertising structures that posed potential distractions to drivers were dismantled.
The Kengash resolution also addressed the project for constructing a two-tiered ring road around Tashkent, spanning 100 kilometers, with an estimated cost of 1 billion US dollars. The implementation of this project is planned for discussion with the China Railway Construction Corporation. Moreover, municipal bodies are negotiating with Chinese firms regarding the construction of tunnels, overpasses, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines.
The administration of the Tashkent Metro has announced a temporary change in the train schedule on the elevated ring line. From July 17 to July 19, trains will operate on a reduced schedule, running from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
This change is due to the need to conduct an additional inspection of the technical condition of the stations. Over three days, specialists will inspect the structural and technical condition of fourteen stations belonging to the elevated ring line.
According to metro representatives, the preventive measures are aimed at increasing the reliability of the entire infrastructure. Furthermore, they are intended to conduct another in-depth analysis of the current state of the system and ensure safer and more comfortable conditions for passengers.
Immediately before the reduction in schedule began, on July 16, part of the roof structure collapsed at 'Turon' station on the elevated line. Two passengers sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident. A special commission was formed to clarify all circumstances of what happened.
The first phase of the comprehensive reconstruction of Mustakillik Avenue in the Mirzo-Ulubek district of Tashkent is drawing to a close. According to data from the Capital Traffic Management Center (TSODD), work on restoring the pavement on one section has been completed, and traffic is expected to resume there shortly.
During the work, specialists dismantled 23,000 square meters of worn road surface and replaced it with an equal volume of crushed stone-asphalt concrete. Additionally, basalt geogrid was installed over an area of approximately 29,000 square meters to strengthen the road structure.
Currently, road crews are laying the top wear-resistant layer, SMA-20 (polymer-modified stone asphalt), on a 23,000 square meter section. Representatives of TSODD noted that this material provides high resistance to heavy vehicle loads, deformation at high temperatures, and rutting, which will significantly extend the service life of the avenue's pavement.
Concurrently, the modernization of the stormwater drainage system along the route is underway. Crews have repaired 1.14 kilometers of drainage gutters, replaced 111 meters of metal pipes, installed 1.3 kilometers of new curbs, and replaced another 1.14 kilometers of edge stones along the main carriageway. Furthermore, 566 meters of old curb stones were dismantled along the central dividing lane.
According to TSODD, these drainage improvements will reduce the likelihood of water accumulation on the road during heavy rains, thereby protecting the new asphalt pavement from water damage.
The street lighting network on the avenue is also being updated: plans include replacing 34 outdated lampposts with 67 modern ones. In addition, three bus platforms are being constructed, and three new bus stops are being installed. Passenger waiting areas are being expanded and equipped with tactile paving tiles to assist visually impaired pedestrians.
The current reconstruction project involves over 30 units of specialized equipment, as well as more than 250 workers and specialists.
Traffic on the Mustakillik Avenue section between Mirzo Ulugbek Street and Akkurgan Street towards the city center was initially restricted until July 13, 2026, for repair work in the capital. However, unforeseen requirements for the major repair of drainage and runoff systems prevented contractors from completing the work within the originally stated timeframe.
