Infrastructure
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
Overview: Land transportation is a critical element of national unity because the regions of Kyrgyzstan (particularly north and south) are separated by natural barriers. In the early 2000s, foreign investment has been instrumental in long-term improvement projects for rail, road, and air transportation lines.
Roads: In 1999 Kyrgyzstan had 18,500 kilometers of roads, 16,854 kilometers of which were paved. Of that total, 140 kilometers were classified as highways and 3,160 kilometers as main roads. Major expansion projects with international funding include a 650-kilometer, north-south highway linking Bishkek and Osh, a road connecting Lake Issyk-Kul with Aksu in China's Xingjiang Province, and an east-west highway connecting Osh with the Chinese border. Those roads are to be completed by 2010.
Railroads: In 2005 Kyrgyzstan had only 470 kilometers of railroad track, all broad-gauge. Hence, Kyrgyzstan is largely dependent on the railroad systems of neighboring countries. Passenger service was reduced in 1999. Long-term government plans call for upgrading the railroad system to include Kyrgyzstan in the flow of rail traffic across Central Asia and the establishment of urban rail systems in Bishkek, Osh, and Jalalabad. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan plan to build a 100-kilometer connector to bring Kazakhstani tourists from Almaty to Lake Issyk-Kul.
Civil Aviation and Airports: In the early 2000s, international funding upgraded the main airport, Manas, at Bishkek and a smaller facility at Osh. In 2006 Manas was the only one of Kyrgyzstan's 37 airports with a runway longer than 3,000 meters and the only airport supporting international flights. Smaller airports provide connections among domestic destinations.
Pipelines: The lack of Kyrgyzstan's pipeline system is a major impediment to fuel distribution. In 2006 the country had 367 kilometers of natural gas pipeline and 16 kilometers of oil pipeline, after adding 167 kilometers of natural gas pipeline in 2003.
