The commentary by IAIS Visiting Junior Fellows offers a comparative and on-the-ground perspective on Uzbekistan’s road infrastructure, blending personal travel observations with policy analysis. Drawing parallels with Canada’s vast but well-connected highway system, the authors underscore the challenges Uzbekistan faces in developing safe, efficient, and sustainable road networks. They recount travel experiences across regions such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Nukus, and Muynak, highlighting pervasive potholes, uneven surfa