INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL CHALLENGES IN SUSTAINABLE RURAL ROAD MAINTENANCE

This thesis examines institutional and financial challenges that limit the sustainable maintenance of rural road infrastructure, with particular attention to the policy context of Uzbekistan and the wider international experience. Rural roads are not only engineering facilities; they are social and economic arteries that connect settlements with schools, health services, markets, employment opportunities and administrative centers. However, many rural road systems face a persistent cycle in which construction receives greater political and budgetary attention than routine maintenance, asset management and climate-resilient operation. As a result, newly built or rehabilitated roads may deteriorate faster than expected, especially when drainage systems, pavement monitoring, community feedback mechanisms and stable maintenance financing are weak. The research argues that the main barriers are systemic rather than purely technical. They include fragmented institutional responsibilities, insufficient long-term budget planning, limited use of road condition data, weak coordination between central and local authorities, climate risks, procurement inefficiencies and inadequate accountability for life-cycle performance. The topic is especially relevant for Uzbekistan, where recent transport reforms, rural development priorities, and externally supported road resilience projects demonstrate the state’s intention to modernize road governance and improve regional connectivity.