Baku on the Verge of a Transport Revolution
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Baku on the Verge of a Transport Revolution: Massive Road Construction and Closing the Center to Cars
The capital of Azerbaijan is entering the most radical phase of its urban environment modernization. Under the comprehensive State Program for the Improvement of Transport Infrastructure for 2025–2030, the Baku authorities are implementing an integrated approach: transit flows are being entirely rerouted to the outskirts via new multi-level interchanges, while the historical city center is being completely freed from cars and handed over to pedestrians.
Baku Center to Become Fully Pedestrianized from October 5
As part of measures to enhance mobility, ensure resident comfort, and promote walking, the Transport Coordination Council has made a strategic decision. The rules that have been active on the central streets of Baku only on weekends for more than two years will now be extended to all days of the week.
Starting October 5 in test mode, vehicle traffic will be completely restricted on the following sections:
* Zarifa Aliyeva Street (the section after the intersection with Rasul Rza Street);
* Abdulkarim Alizadeh Street;
* Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev Street;
* Tarlan Aliyarbeyov Street;
* Yusif Mammadaliyev Street.
Exceptions for entry: Round-the-clock access to the territory will be maintained for local residents with individual parking permits, as well as for vehicles of emergency, medical, municipal, and logistics services. Government agencies, diplomatic missions, medical facilities, and businesses operating on these streets will receive the necessary support to adapt to the new regime.
Transport Backbone: 24 Projects to Eliminate Gridlock
In parallel with the expansion of pedestrian zones, the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads (AAYDA) is launching the large-scale construction of high-speed bypasses and interchanges to absorb the traffic displaced from the center. In total, the implementation of 24–25 strategic projects is planned by 2030.
1. Relieving "20 January" and "Shamakhinka"
One of the key projects is the construction of a tunnel-type overpass and a roundabout at the intersection of Muhammed Khiyabani Street and the Outer Ring Road. A side road heading toward the Garadagh district will also be built here. The complete separation of urban and transit flows will eliminate intersecting maneuvers and relieve gridlock in the directions of "20 January", "Shamakhinka", and Garadagh.
2. Six-Lane Bypass Around Ziya Bunyadov Avenue
A high-speed six-lane highway with a length of 3.9 km is being built on the section from Academician Hasan Aliyev Street to the "Koroglu" metro station (parallel to Ziya Bunyadov Avenue). The uniqueness of the project lies in the construction of 4 tunnels with a total length of 2,210 meters and 3 underground pedestrian crossings. The new road will create a direct, traffic-light-free "East-West" connection and relieve the congested Heydar Aliyev and Ziya Bunyadov avenues.
3. New Suburban Links and Connectors
* Bilgah — Novkhany — Khyrdalan — M4 Route: A massive radial road will allow drivers to travel between suburban settlements and access the northern highway while bypassing the city center.
* "VAZ Roundabout" Modernization: Construction of a tunnel into the center of Khyrdalan to eliminate daily traffic jams at the exit of the capital.
* Intracity Connections: Laying new road links between Khaqani Rustamov and Aga Neymatulla streets, as well as optimizing exits at the junction of Abdulvahab Salamzade and Ziya Bunyadov streets.
By combining strict restrictions on vehicles in the center with the active development of high-speed peripheral highways, Baku aims to achieve a completely new, eco-friendly, and high-tech transport ecosystem by 2030.
