A 2,000 m tunnel alternative under the Taldyk Pass at an altitude of 3,000 metres is under study by Finnroad as part of the improvement of the Silk Road between Osh and Erkesh Tam. The tunnel will not be feasible before the volume of traffic is sufficient. It would be a single tube, 11 m-wide including pedestrian sideways. Expected geology is limestone. Drill/blast method. Support with rockbolts, shotcrete and steel arches, if needed. The timing of the project depends on political decisions yet to be made by China, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Excavation is roughly estimated at $20 million. Financing by loans from Chinese international financial institutions. The client will be the Kyrgyz ministry of transport and communications. Visit www.finnroad.fi 07/02.
