Large-sized and freight vehicles with an axial load exceeding six tons are temporarily banned from plying Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, the Branch of Innovative Road Solutions (IRS) LTD in Tajikistan, which operates the toll on this highway, said on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the Branch of Innovative Road Solutions (IRS) LTD in Tajikistan says these measures became necessary due to non-compliance by some drivers with existing requirements, which led to the need for major repairs on certain sections of the highway.  

“Temporary restrictions have been introduced to maintain the condition of the highway and ensure traffic safety,” he added.    

The truck traffic restriction that was introduced on June 1 will last until September 1.

Recall, the Branch of Innovative Road Solutions LTD in Tajikistan was permitted to operate the toll on the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway.  A 354-kilometer toll road from Dushanbe to Chanak links Tajikistan’s capital with Uzbekistan through the northern province of Sughd.

The highway was upgraded by Chinese companies and paid for with a $280 million loan from China.  The Tajik government decided to permit IRS to operate the toll on the highway in order to repay the loan to China.  A toll has been collected for using the highway since April 1, 2010.