The opening of a new 44-kilometre section of the Turkmenbashi–Garabogaz–Kazakhstan border highway took place in the Balkan velayat. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov participated in the commissioning ceremony via videoconference. This was reported by the TDH state news agency.

The new section of the highway is an important link in the international North–South Transport Corridor. Its commissioning is aimed at expanding transport connections between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, as well as creating additional opportunities for the development of trade and passenger traffic between the two countries.

The newly commissioned section is 44 kilometres long, with an embankment width of 27.5 metres. The road has two traffic lanes, each 9 metres wide. To improve road safety, it also features a 3.5-metre-wide median strip and three-metre-wide shoulders on both sides.

During construction, a multilayer road pavement technology was used, incorporating gravel and sand materials as well as asphalt concrete. All works were carried out in compliance with international quality standards.

During the ceremony, A. Begjanov, an honoured elder of Turkmenistan, addressed the Head of State with a request to give his blessing for the opening of the highway. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov granted permission, after which the honoured elders cut the ceremonial ribbon.

The commissioning of the new highway section marks another step in the modernisation of the Balkan velayat's transport infrastructure and will contribute to strengthening Turkmenistan's transit potential.