Construction of the SkyTrain elevated rapid transit system in Almaty is scheduled to begin in 2027, with a construction period of three years, according to the city’s Road Infrastructure Development Department.
Two lines will be built across the city. The combined lengths will exceed 46 kilometres, of which approximately 24 kilometres will be accounted for by the second line. Trains will operate on elevated guideways at heights of 10 to 15 metres, independently of road traffic congestion and traffic signals.
The project’s cost has not yet been disclosed. It will be determined once the project receives a positive conclusion from the state expert review. Design organisations are expected to be engaged to adapt the project to Kazakhstan’s standards.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has instructed the city to develop high-speed public transport in Almaty. At a meeting on June, 2 he noted that approximately 400,000 vehicles enter the city from Almaty Region every day, while Almaty has a population of 2.36 million.
Meanwhile, construction is underway on the city’s light rail transit (LRT) line, which will run along Abylai Khan Avenue and Tole Bi Street to Almaty-2 railway station. The line is expected to become operational by the end of 2027.
