Uzbekistan: Bukhara Road Network Improvement Project Phase 2

proposed

The Bukhara Road Network Improvement Project Phase 2 (the Program) aims to reconstruct and upgrade critical sections of the M37 international road corridor, covering approximately 160 kilometers (km) from km 207 to km 365 in the Bukhara Region of Uzbekistan. The M37 corridor is a strategic cross-border route, connecting major urban centers such as Samarkand and Bukhara to the border with Turkmenistan, and, thereby, facilitating enhanced regional trade and connectivity. The Program will finance the following activities: (i) civil works for the rehabilitation of approximately 160km of M37 road sections with cement concrete pavement; (ii) consultancy services for construction supervision and technical audit; (iii) design, supply, and installation of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) components along the rehabilitated corridor; and (iv) institutional strengthening and capacity building. Under the proposed MPP framework, the Program will be structured as follows: Tranche-1 Project (the Project): Reconstruction of road sections from km 311 to km 346 (Lot 4) and from km 346 to km 365 (Lot 5), with a proposed financing amount of approximately USD150 million. Tranche-2 Project: Reconstruction of the remaining road sections from km 207 to km 311, covering Lots 1, 2, and 3. This sub-project will be prepared and submitted for President approval in a subsequent phase. The BRNIP Phase 2 builds on BRNIP Phase 1 (P000313), which was approved by AIIB's Board on December 8, 2021, and became effective on May 11, 2022. The objective of Phase 1 is to improve transport connectivity and road safety in the Bukhara Region. The project supports the reconstruction of 78 kilometers of road sections of the A380 international highway. As of May 2025, all three civil works contracts are under implementation, and key safeguards and procurement activities are being carried out in accordance with the agreed implementation plan.