Kazakhstan's Kokshetau–Zerenda highway gets a 47-km safety and speed boost
A major upgrade is underway on the Kokshetau–Zerenda highway in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region. The project involves widening and resurfacing 47 kilometres of road, with work already showing results in improved traffic safety. Funding for the reconstruction comes from an 8 billion tenge allocation in the regional budget. The highway was previously just 7 metres wide but has now been expanded as part of the improvements. Crews are laying two fresh layers of asphalt: a 9-centimetre base layer and a 5-centimetre top coat. So far, the 21st to 47th kilometre stretch has been fully repaired, with only 9 kilometres of the final surface layer left to pave. Officials expect the entire project to finish by July.
The upgrades have already cut road accidents by 30–40%. Beyond this highway, the region plans to repair over 400 kilometres of roads this year, backed by a 72 billion tenge budget for infrastructure. Additional work includes a new bridge on the Zhaksy–Yessil–Buzuluk road at the 81st kilometre and a pedestrian overpass on the Astana–Yereymentau–Shiderty highway at the 149th kilometre.
This year, major repairs will also wrap up in the Yessil, Zhaksy, and Yereymentau districts, covering nearly 60 kilometres of routes. Construction on the Kokshetau–Zerenda highway began last year, with the latest phase focusing on durability and smoother travel. The completed sections of the Kokshetau–Zerenda highway have already made driving safer and more efficient. With the final asphalt layer due by July, the full 47-kilometre upgrade will join a broader push to modernise roads across Akmola Region. The total investment of 72 billion tenge will fund further repairs, including bridges and pedestrian crossings, throughout 2024.
