Kyrgyzstan has officially opened the alternative North–South highway connecting Balykchy, Kazarman, and Jalal-Abad for seasonal traffic from 1 June to November 2026. The 433-kilometer route is one of the country’s largest infrastructure projects and significantly reduces travel time between northern and southern Kyrgyzstan from around 13 hours to approximately 6 hours under normal conditions. The highway includes major engineering works such as the Kok-Art Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the country.

The road is currently open only during the summer and autumn months while construction continues, with full year-round operation expected by 2028 after completion of additional protective structures such as avalanche galleries and bridges. Despite the opening, authorities advise caution, as certain mountain sections, particularly around Kazarman, can still be affected by rockfalls and weather-related disruptions.