In East Kazakhstan Region, the repair of a 13-kilometre section of the Ust-Kamenogorsk – Altai – Ulken Naryn – Katon-Karagay – Rakhman Keys highway, between kilometres 437 and 450, has been completed.

Previously, this section had no asphalt pavement, while the challenging mountainous terrain significantly hindered traffic. Following the completion of the repair works, the section now has a full road surface, which will improve the comfort and safety of travel to one of the region’s most well-known tourist destinations.

As part of the project, four bridges and 23 water-crossing structures were constructed. The works were carried out in high-altitude conditions and on challenging terrain.

Due to the location of the road section within a national park, special requirements had to be observed during construction. As a result, blasting methods were not used. Rock formations were processed using specialized machinery, and the resulting material was used to construct the road base.

Previously, it took up to 2.5–3 hours to travel the 13-kilometre section without an asphalt surface. The opening of the upgraded road will significantly improve transport accessibility to Rakhman Keys.

To improve convenience for tourists, the project also includes stopping areas and viewing platforms offering views of the surrounding mountain landscapes and Mount Muztau (Belukha).

Rakhman Keys is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in East Kazakhstan and attracts travellers every year from different regions of Kazakhstan as well as from abroad.

In addition, a project to construct a new world-class health resort is planned at Rakhman Keys. Its implementation will provide an additional impetus to the development of the region’s tourism and health-resort infrastructure.

The development of road infrastructure is one of the key conditions for improving access to tourist destinations, increasing tourist flows and creating new opportunities for tourism development in the Katon-Karagay District and East Kazakhstan Region as a whole.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tourism-vko/press/news/details/1304938?lang=ru