Lake Balkhash's access road reopened following reconstruction in Jeti
The "Lepsy - Lake Balkhash" road, a 27-kilometre stretch that was put into operation last year, is currently undergoing further improvements. This section is part of the larger "Almaty - Ust-Kamenogorsk - Lepsy - Aktogai" highway, with the 35-110 km section recently opened for traffic on the lower asphalt layer.
Currently, 65 units of equipment and over 100 people are involved in the road construction, ensuring that the project progresses efficiently. The contractor company responsible for the road's construction guarantees the quality of the road for 5 years and will fix any complaints or defects at their own expense.
Landscaping work will be carried out after the upper asphalt pavement is laid. The full commissioning of the road to Lake Balkhash is scheduled for 2026, according to Galymzhan Daribaev, head of the passenger transport and automobile roads department of the Zhetysu region.
In addition to the road improvements, four rest areas with parking, stops, and restrooms have been installed along the road, creating favourable logistics conditions for trips to Lake Balkhash. Earlier, it was reported that additional trains to the Balkhash resort zone would be launched in the summer.
The road to Lake Balkhash has been divided into two sections for improvement. There are currently 40 km of upper asphalt pavement left to be laid on each section.
While specific updates on railway development in the village of Lepsy are not readily available, given its location near Lake Balkhash and Almaty, potential improvements there would likely be part of Kazakhstan’s broader transport enhancement plans linked to regional connectivity and economic growth.
The Kapchagay Reservoir in the Almaty region has reached full capacity in 2025, contributing to improved conditions around Lake Balkhash, suggesting ongoing investment and activity in regional infrastructure and environmental management which could complement road and rail projects.
The construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant near Lake Balkhash (village of Ulken) is underway as of 2024-2025 and will take several years to complete. This is significant regional infrastructure progress though not directly connected to road or railway reconstruction.
For authoritative details, checking Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport or regional government releases would be advised. In the meantime, the progress on the road infrastructure between Almaty and Lake Balkhash is a promising sign of ongoing development in the region. A new modern railway station is also planned to be built in the village of Lepsy by the end of the year, further enhancing the region's transport network.
- The improvement of the road to Lake Balkhash not only includes constructing a modern railway station in Lepsy, but also exploring potential travel opportunities to this picturesque destination.
- Aside from enhancing the road's infrastructure, the development of leisure facilities such as rest areas along the road to Lake Balkhash encourages a greater lifestyle focus for travelers exploring the region.
