What happened
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Co., Ltd. said on Sept. 5 that the Kosh-Tebe North No. 2 tunnel on the Kyrgyzstan section has been successfully completed.
The tunnel is 209.6 metres long, built as a single-bore, single-track tunnel with a maximum burial depth of 41 metres. Phased results were also reported for the Naryn No. 1 tunnel and other critical projects.
Civil works across the Kyrgyzstan section started in June 2025. All large temporary roads and temporary power supply projects are now complete and operational, while construction has begun on 27 tunnels, 43 bridges, 88 subgrade sections, and the foundations of 20 stations.
Why it matters
Completing the first tunnel shows the Kyrgyzstan section is moving from early-stage preparation into active construction, even as many tunnels, bridges and stations remain in progress.
With temporary transport and power infrastructure fully in place, the project appears well positioned to continue large-scale civil works, though sustained coordination will be needed to keep the many ongoing structures moving forward.
Key facts
The Kosh-Tebe North No. 2 tunnel is the first tunnel completed on the Kyrgyzstan section.
The tunnel is 209.6 metres long, with a single-track single-bore design and a maximum depth of 41 metres.
Civil works on the Kyrgyzstan section began in June 2025.
As of the report, 27 tunnels, 43 bridges, 88 subgrade sections and 20 station foundations had entered construction.
All large temporary roads and temporary power supply projects have been completed and put into use.
What to watch next
Whether other tunnels already under construction, including the Naryn No. 1 tunnel, reach their next milestones without major delays.
How quickly bridge, subgrade and station works advance now that temporary infrastructure is fully operational.
Any official announcements about the overall timeline for the Kyrgyzstan section and the broader China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project.