Kazakhstan, Mongolia plan shorter new highway through Russia

ASTANA. Oct 1 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan and Mongolia plan to build a new highway between the two countries through Russia, pending approval from the Russian authorities, the Kazakh Transport Ministry said.

The route will connect the Kazakh cities of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Ridder, as well as the Russian locality of Tuekta in the Altai Republic, leading to the Mongolian border.

"The Kazakh section of the route, 189 kilometers from Ust-Kamenogorsk to the Russian border, has already been built. Most of the route will be in Russia, and if the Russian authorities agree to the project, the total distance will be increased to 837 kilometers," the ministry said.

The existing road from Ust-Kamenogorsk to Rubtsovsk then Barnaul, Tuekta, and the Mongolian border is 1,604 kilometers long.

"The new road is expected to significantly shorten travel time, enhance transport connections between Kazakhstan and Mongolia, and strengthen economic and cultural ties," the ministry said.

In July, the presidents of Kazakhstan and Mongolia discussed the road project as part of efforts to improve transportation links between their countries.