On the instructions of the head of state, the longest bridge in the country, which crosses the Bukhtarma reservoir in the East Kazakhstan region, is under construction. The project is aimed at solving the long-standing problem of transport communication in the region.
“For years, people traveled by ferry in the summer, and on ice in the winter. It is clear that this was very inconvenient and dangerous. Now the problem has been solved once and for all,” said President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Today, the bridge in Kurchum connects the Kurchum, Bolshoy Naryn, Markakol, Katonkaragay, Tarbagatay and Zaisan districts of the East Kazakhstan region with the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk, ensuring safe movement of vehicles all year round.
In the first four months, about 170 thousand cars passed over the bridge. That is, about 1.5 thousand cars use the bridge every day. It is worth noting that previously, residents of the region were forced to take a detour of up to 500 kilometers. This significantly increased travel time and transportation costs.
The construction of the bridge was carried out by a domestic company in the East Kazakhstan region. This allowed attracting local resources and specialists, providing new jobs in the region.
The project was implemented using advanced engineering technologies and in accordance with all quality standards.
The total length of the bridge is 1,316 meters, and the width is 12.2 meters. A pedestrian walkway is built on one side. To protect the structure in the winter, special icebreakers are installed on each of the supports that are not damaged.
In addition, the distance from the water surface to the bridge is 18 meters. This allows ships to pass under the bridge without obstacles during navigation.
To ensure safety, 102 video surveillance cameras are installed on the new bridge across the Bukhtarma reservoir, 62 of which are located in the upper part of the bridge and 40 in the area under the bridge. The cameras operate online, which provides constant monitoring of the road condition.
Residents of the region say that the bridge has solved the problem of transport between settlements on both sides of the reservoir. This bridge ensures the safe movement of citizens, accelerates the movement of goods, and provides access to all necessary services and needs of the population.
The bridge in Kurchum is not just a building, but a symbol of a new process and new opportunities for the entire region.
As local resident Aibar Erikov noted, the bridge has become “a door to the big world”:
“I remember waiting for the thick ice to freeze in winter to get to the other side of the Bukhtarma reservoir. Now we don’t think about it! You get in the car - you get out on the other side. For us, this bridge is like a door to the big world. Getting to the city is much easier, faster and safer.”
Small business owner Ainash Orazbayeva says that trade in the region has revived:
“Previously, delivering goods to us was a real quest: in the summer - by ferry, in the winter - on ice, and in the off-season, nothing was brought. Now goods are delivered without interruption, the assortment in stores has increased, prices have stabilized. It is much easier to work across the bridge, and comfortable living conditions have been created for people.”
Heavy truck driver Murat Ramazanov talked about saving the road and time on the road:
“Before, I had to drive an additional 500 kilometers to bypass the Bukhtarma reservoir. Because I don’t like extremes by nature and I didn’t want to test the strength of the ice with the weight of my car. Now I’m crossing the bridge. This is a great opportunity to save not only fuel, but also time and nerves."
The bridge in Kurchum not only gave impetus to the socio-economic development of East Kazakhstan, but also had a positive impact on the development of the country's transport and logistics sector as a whole, improving logistics routes and ensuring uninterrupted communication with border countries. The bridge will also undoubtedly increase the tourism potential of the region and provide an opportunity to enjoy the picturesque scenery of the region and the Bukhtarma reservoir.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/transport/press/news/details/939046