Travelers at Alat: 1978 Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan Bridge Set for Upgrade

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has allocated 25 billion soums from his reserve fund for a new bridge and road infrastructure in the Alat district of the Bukhara region, on the border with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan 24 television reported. The plan is aimed at the Alat border customs post, a crossing point used by both freight and passenger traffic between the two countries.

Key facts

• 25 billion soums allocated from the Uzbek president's reserve fund
• Location: Alat district, Bukhara region, on the Turkmenistan border
• Instruction issued on 4 November 2026
• Existing bridge over the Yomonjar Canal dates from 1978
• More than 243,000 vehicles crossed the Alat post in the first 10 months of 2026
• Up to 1,200 vehicles pass through the checkpoint each day in both directions

What has been decided?

Mirziyoyev gave the instruction on 4 November 2026 during a meeting on the socioeconomic development of the Bukhara region, held as part of a working visit to the area. Alat district governor Nargiza Neymatova proposed building a new bridge, saying the current structure can no longer cope with the growing flow of freight and passenger traffic, which she said has tripled on both counts.

Uzbekistan's Transport Ministry has proposed that the new bridge carry at least two lanes for freight vehicles in each direction. The ministry expects the project to speed up transportation, cut congestion in the border area and improve conditions for passenger vehicles and pedestrians.

Why does the crossing need replacing?

The existing bridge over the Yomonjar Canal, which links Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, was built in 1978 and is technically outdated, according to the Transport Ministry. Traffic at the Alat customs post has grown sharply: more than 243,000 vehicles crossed there in the first 10 months of 2026, 2.3 times the figure for the same period in 2022.

On the same day, Transport Minister I.Makhkamov, Customs Committee Chairman A.Mavlonov, Road Committee Chairman J.Tursunov and Uzsuvtaminot JSC Board Chairman A.Suvonkulov visited the Alat border customs post. They reviewed the checkpoint's operations and discussed ways to increase its capacity, improve logistics infrastructure and simplify freight transport procedures, the ministry said.

What this means for travellers

Anyone crossing between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan at Alat should expect a busy checkpoint: up to 1,200 vehicles currently pass through it each day in both directions, and the ministry describes congestion in the border area as a problem the new bridge is meant to ease. Travellers planning to use this route can check current conditions at the crossing before setting out.

No construction start date, completion date or temporary traffic arrangements have been announced.