Project Profile: Astana Nurly Zhol Railway Station

The Astana Nurly Zhol Railway Station in Kazakhstan’s capital represents a landmark achievement in modern railway infrastructure, integrating a large-scale, climate-controlled terminal with advanced operational technologies. This project addresses critical capacity constraints by leveraging intelligent passenger flow systems and sustainable energy solutions, setting a new regional benchmark for transport hub development.

Project Fact Sheet

Technical Specifications

Architectural and Structural Design

The core of the project is the 126,000 sq m enclosed terminal, a semi-transparent structure measuring 630m in length, 116m in width, and 49.5m in height. Its defining feature is a monolithic steel roof composed of three wave-like plates, which provides complete coverage for the 2,550m of platform length. Six covered overpasses are integrated directly into the main building, creating a fully enclosed, climate-controlled environment that shields passengers and rolling stock from Astana’s extreme weather conditions. The design facilitates intuitive passenger circulation from the 70,000 sq m car park through the terminal to the platforms, minimizing congestion.

Intelligent Systems and Sustainability

Nurly Zhol is engineered with a suite of intelligent management systems. These technologies monitor and control passenger flow, security surveillance, digital queuing, and smart ticketing to optimize operational efficiency and enhance the passenger experience. A significant focus was placed on sustainability, with approximately 70% of the design incorporating green technologies. Key implementations include solar batteries and geothermal systems that utilize ground-source heat for electricity generation, drastically reducing the station’s carbon footprint and operational energy costs. Energy-efficient lifts and escalators further contribute to the facility’s low-impact profile.

Operational Capacity

The station was engineered to resolve a severe capacity bottleneck, increasing daily passenger throughput nearly threefold from 12,000 at the old station to 35,000. The six parallel receiving-and-departure tracks, managed by a modern signaling system, allow for high-frequency train movements, minimizing dwell times and maximizing network efficiency. This expanded capacity is crucial for accommodating projected growth in regional and national rail traffic through the capital city.

Key Takeaways

• Capacity Multiplier: The project successfully increased daily passenger handling capacity by nearly 200%, directly addressing a critical infrastructure deficit and enabling future growth in rail transport.
• Sustainable Infrastructure Benchmark: With extensive integration of solar and geothermal energy sources, the station serves as a model for environmentally responsible transport hub development in regions with challenging climates.
• Integrated Engineering Success: The project demonstrates the value of a collaborative approach, combining international architectural design with local construction expertise and specialized engineering consultancy to deliver a complex, technologically advanced facility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the passenger capacity of the Astana Nurly Zhol station?
The Astana Nurly Zhol Railway Station is designed to handle up to 35,000 passengers per day, a significant increase from the 12,000-passenger capacity of the city’s previous main station.

Who were the main companies that built the Nurly Zhol station?
The station was designed by Tabanlioğlu Architects. Construction was carried out by a consortium of LLP Jol zhөndeushі and JSC Sembol, with structural and sustainability engineering provided by BuroHappold Engineering.