[TM] Highways in Turkmenistan

[ChrisZwolle]

Some of you might never heard from this country, it's located in Central Asia, and has a single-party political system. The capital is Ashgabat, a city of about 700.000 inhabitants. They have quite some roads developed, and a particularly good signage comparing to other central Asian countries.

I only show the road-related stuff, other stuff can be found in this topic.

1. Though the buildings looks very modern, check out these very old vehicles;


2. Major urban arterials out of the city center. Very few traffic though.


3. Main square and something that looks like an 8 - 10 lane road.


4. Divided highway.


5. Some signage, looks good developed.


6. intersection, notice the old cars.


7. Quite modern streets, signs, sidewalks, zebra-crossings etc.


8. Expressway leading out of the city. Recently Ashgabat developed an expressway system in the city.
image hosted on flickr


9. Major road.
image hosted on flickr


10. Dont know what these people are doing. Notice the European-style signs.
image hosted on flickr


11. Some more signage.
image hosted on flickr


12. Another major highway becoming some sort of expressway.
image hosted on flickr


13. More signage

[Rebasepoiss]

The country itself is rich, but people are quite poor. Also it's a dictatorship and I don't like that kind of countries. It's a matter of principle...

[Qwert]

Originally Posted by Rebasepoiss

The country itself is rich, but people are quite poor. Also it's a dictatorship and I don't like that kind of countries. It's a matter of principle...

But it looks nice. Nicer than North Korea.

[sturman]

It's got oil and gas - that's all the difference

[ChrisZwolle]

1. Interchange southwest of Ashgabat.


2. Newly constructed intersections to the south of Ashgabat.


3. Another interchange, now somewhat closer.


4. Turkmenbashi, second city of Turkmenistan


5. Main street in Nebit Dag


6. Street in Tashauz, in the north.

[Qwert]

Originally Posted by sturman

It's got oil and gas - that's all the difference

I would say it makes quite a big difference. This country is also not as isolated as North Korea, but that's probably due to its oil and gas resources...

[x-type]

how come that there is no Turkmenbashi at each sign beside the road?

[ChrisZwolle]

There are a lot of them. In fact, there are a lot of statues too.

[cezarsab]

the signing looks like those in turkey.,,,,they have similar language i think also..
nice roads and buldings,..

[x-type]

i know for statues, they are everywhere, but i tried to joke about signs, but it seems it might be true!

[Raf11]

Originally Posted by cezarsab

the signing looks like those in turkey.,,,,they have similar language i think also..
nice roads and buldings,..

They are cousins of Turks. The same as Azerbaijanis.

Even the name of the state says that: TURK-MENI-STAN...

[cezarsab]

yeah i know...but thanks anyway

[Turnovec]

Originally Posted by Chriszwolle

There are a lot of them. In fact, there are a lot of statues too.

"I admit it, there are too many portraits, pictures and monuments. I don't find any pleasure in it, but the people demand it because of their mentality.”

Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi himself)

[Verso]

Originally Posted by Chriszwolle

They have quite some roads developed, and a particularly good signage

Talking about good signage:

[lpioe]

Signage looks indeed surprisingly good.

But I wonder why do they (and North Korea) build expressways when they are not needed. I would unterstand it here in the city because there are quite a few cars but outside of it there are virtually no cars on the expressways (pic 8 and 12).

[Mateusz]

Or like in Pakistan, nearly empty 3X3 roads...

[ChrisZwolle]

Originally Posted by Verso

Talking about good signage:

Yep that's the usual stuff in that area.

[wyqtor]

Originally Posted by Turnovec

"I admit it, there are too many portraits, pictures and monuments. I don't find any pleasure in it, but the people demand it because of their mentality.”

Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi himself)

I guess unlike other dictator he had a sense of humor ! Even though a somewhat sinister one.

[Qwert]

Originally Posted by lpioe

Signage looks indeed surprisingly good.

But I wonder why do they (and North Korea) build expressways when they are not needed. I would unterstand it here in the city because there are quite a few cars but outside of it there are virtually no cars on the expressways (pic 8 and 12).

Even UAE and other Persian gulf countries are building enormous motorways while outside the cities they is literally no traffic. Why? Probably they are expecting massive growth of traffic in the near future. If they have enough money then why not?

[Verso]

I don't think there's a massive growth of traffic expected in desert countries. They just wanna have divided highways, that's all, if you ask me.