The toll collection system for the first paid highway in Uzbekistan, which connects Urgench and Khiva, is currently operating in test mode. The full launch of this system is scheduled for August 25. This information was provided by the press service of the Committee of Automobile Roads under the Ministry of Transport to the publication 'Gazeta.'
On August 17, the presidential press service announced the start of paid traffic on the 'Urgench—Khiva' highway (T-001). It is expected that thanks to the new road, travel time between these cities will be reduced from 45–50 minutes to 15–20 minutes. The next day, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev traveled on this new 35 km toll road, moving from Khiva to Urgench International Airport.
According to committee data, the fare for a passenger car of category M1 along the entire route between Khiva and Urgench is 25 thousand soms. Additionally, there is a shortened route option of 28 km, running from the Turkmanli mahalla to Khiva, and its passage will cost 20 thousand soms.
For larger vehicles, such as light trucks weighing up to 3.5 tons (N1), buses with over eight passengers (M2/M3), and medium-tonnage trucks weighing from 3.5 to 12 tons (N2), a different tariff has been set. For the full route, the fee for these categories is set at 40 thousand soms, and for the shortened route, it is 25 thousand soms.
The Committee of Automobile Roads press service clarified to 'Gazeta' that the payment website (uzsent.uz) is still in test mode and will be fully launched on August 25. Access to the mobile application is expected in the Google Play and App Store. Through this site, users will be able to receive up-to-date information on weather, traffic jams, road conditions, and estimated travel time.
As reported by Spot, an electronic wallet function is available for users. It can be topped up through the third-party service VIA, developed by DEVHUB, or by using a linked bank card. Drivers have the option to pay for each trip manually or to set up automatic debits from the balance after completing the journey. Personal account allows for entering vehicle details, including its license plate number, category, color, model, and manufacturer.
The toll collection is organized in a fully electronic format, eliminating the need for vehicles to stop at special payment points. The fee will be collected remotely, and traffic flow and the payment system will be managed using digital solutions based on artificial intelligence.
As part of the implementation of the four-lane highway project, an underground tunnel, eight overpasses, fifteen bridges, and one hundred and six culverts were constructed. The initial plan involved building seven special crossings, eight overpasses, one tunnel, and seventeen bridges.
The capacity of this road is estimated at approximately 20 thousand vehicles per day. According to installed road signs, the maximum allowed speed on the toll highway is 150 km/h, 130 km/h on curves, and the minimum permissible speed is 40 km/h. Pedestrian movement, mopeds, horse-drawn transport, and vehicles with trailers are prohibited on the road. All stops and U-turns are also forbidden.
Information about the plans to build a toll road in the Khorezm region first appeared in January. This new highway was intended to provide a direct connection between Khiva and Urgench International Airport. Construction work on the first toll highway between Urgench and Khiva started in February. The total cost of the project was estimated at 120 million dollars. It was previously reported that the 35 km four-lane highway could handle over 20 thousand vehicles per day.
'Gazeta' established that the Autodor structures perform the functions of customer, contractor, and supplier in the construction of the first toll highway in Uzbekistan, and no tender was held for this project. The Anti-Corruption Agency, it was reported, is studying this project.