Since early 2026, Kazakh state railway KTZ has put 72 new locomotives into service while simultaneously advancing construction of the Darbaza – Maktaaral line, which includes a bridge over the Syr Darya more than 500 m long. The fleet now includes long-haul diesel locomotives from Wabtec and CRRC, electric locomotives from Alstom, as well as diesel shunting locomotives from CRRC. The locomotives were assigned to depots in Astana, Kyzylorda, Karaganda, Atyrau, Mangystau, Pavlodar, Makat, Ekibastuz, Zhem, and Balkhash. The equipment includes microprocessor controls, the Bort system, video surveillance and radio technology. Prior to the start of operations, the vehicles underwent laboratory and technical testing. On the 152 km new line to Uzbekistan, a metal bridge was constructed with six spans and a 66 m span between the riverbank piers and 88 m each on the four central spans. The foundations reached depths of up to 38 m on the riverbanks and up to 41 m in the riverbed. The final 88 m span is currently under construction. At a meeting on 22nd June 2026, KTZ and Uzbek state railway UTY will discuss the coordinated expansion of infrastructure and the development of rail freight transport to the ports of Aktau and Kuryk. Rail freight volume between the two countries has risen from 19 million t to 33 million t since 2015.