Barskoon–Bedel road to cut China–Bishkek route by 7–8 hours

Construction of the Barskoon–Bedel road through hard-to-reach mountains will give Kyrgyzstan a third road corridor with China. This was reported by Minister of Transport and Communications Talantbek Soltobaev.

Currently Kyrgyzstan and China have two road transport corridors: the Osh–Sary-Tash–Irkeshtam highway and the Bishkek–Naryn–Torugart road. According to the minister, "cargo traffic volumes have grown sharply in recent times" and congestion and traffic jams are forming at checkpoints. In this connection, Soltobaev noted, it is necessary to open a third checkpoint, since the opening of this corridor will create additional opportunities for cargo transport.

According to him, after construction is completed, freight carriers will be able to deliver goods from China (Aksu) to Bishkek 7–8 hours faster than via Torugart. The route is shortened by more than 500 kilometers.

The road is being built at the expense of Kyrgyzstan's republican budget, with a Chinese company acting as general contractor. The total length of the highway is about 161 kilometers. The road will run predominantly through high-mountain terrain, with a significant part of the route located above 3,000 meters above sea level.

Construction officially started on August 27, 2025. Full completion of the work and commissioning of the road is planned for 2030.