Kyrgyzstan has begun construction of two major tunnels at the Soek and Ashuu-Suu passes on the Barskoon-Bedel highway in the Issyk-Kul region.
The Barskoon-Bedel highway, whose construction began on August 27, is a key section of the future Barskoon-Uchturfan-Aksu corridor that will link the Issyk-Kul region with China’s Aksu prefecture in Xinjiang via the Bedel Pass and the Bedel checkpoint on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border.
The new Kyrgyz-Chinese corridor is expected to shorten the distance between Aksu and Kyrgyzstan by 500 kilometers, saving at least 12 hours of travel time for freight carriers.
To ensure year-round use, the project includes construction of tunnels under the Soek and Ashuu-Suu passes, both prone to heavy winter closures.
The tunnel at the Soek pass will be 5,340 meters long, and the tunnel at the Ashuu-Suu pass will be 3,840 meters long. These tunnels will be among the longest and most technically complex in the country’s history.
The Barskoon-Bedel highway will also include bridges, avalanche protection galleries, and barriers to protect against rockfalls and mudflows. The total length of the road is approximately 150 km.
Construction is being carried out by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). The main roadworks are scheduled for completion in September 2029, with full commissioning of the highway and supporting facilities expected by September 2030.
Once finished, the Barskoon-Bedel road will become Kyrgyzstan’s third road crossing with China, alongside the Irkeshtam and Torugart checkpoints.
