China-Kazakhstan Cooperation: Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Inspects the Progress of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project in Astana Built by China: Scheduled for Trial Operation in September
Kazakhstan International News Agency reported on April 13th that during his working inspection of Astana city on April 12th, Prime Minister Bauyrzhan Bekbolatov inspected the progress of the implementation of the LRT project.
At the construction site of Station No. 112, the Prime Minister was briefed on this key transportation project in the capital. It was introduced that last year, the elevated bridge, cable-stayed bridge, and all the station's reinforced concrete structures were completed. To ensure the needs of the project, Astana city has started the production of sleepers, using B-55 grade concrete and prestressed steel technology, which can effectively prevent structural cracking during transportation and enhance frost resistance. More than 35,000 sleepers have been produced so far, with a total requirement of 87,600 for the project.
Sleepers are being laid at the construction site, with 2 kilometers of track already laid and optical fibers installed. About 2,000 construction personnel are currently involved in the construction, and it is expected to increase to about 5,000 professionals during the summer to advance the project.
Ashelbek Duysebayev, Chairman of the Board of City Transportation System (CTS), stated that the plan is to start testing operations of the LRT in September, including no-load trial runs. The Astana Light Rail Project is implemented according to the internationally advanced GoA4 standard, which is the highest level of fully automatic operation. The test period is expected to be six months.
In addition, the Prime Minister also inspected the landscape beautification planning along the LRT route. The project plans to plant large-sized trees and perennial shrubs from the airport to Teshkurlov Street and equip them with an automatic irrigation system; in the area from Habanbai Batyr Avenue to Signak Street, public spaces will be created, featuring children's playgrounds, sports facilities, and pedestrian paths. Until the second railway station (the area with the most concentrated passengers), parking spaces will be planned along the route, bicycle lanes will be added, and greening upgrades will be carried out.
According to previous reports, the annual urban shared bike service "Astana Bike" in Astana will officially launch the cycling season on April 15, 2025, at 9:00 am, providing citizens with a green travel option.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829268905870340/
Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's views.