The President of Russia

06/05/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/05/2023 09:48

Meeting with Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov

The discussion focused, in particular, on transport accessibility of Russia's new regions, reconstruction of their infrastructure, including the road and rail network, airports and seaports.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: We have agreed that we will discuss transport accessibility of Novorossiya and Donbass today, and later discuss Russian Railways performance.

You have the floor.

Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev Savelyev VitalyMinister of Transport: Mr President, if I may, I would like to say a few words about the presentation. Certainly, while addressing its tasks, the Ministry prioritises the issue of ensuring transport accessibility of the Republic of Crimea and the four new regions of the Russian Federation.

As you know, on December 5, 2022, you and I re-opened traffic via the Crimean Bridge after the terrorist attack. On February 23, 2023, we re-opened the bridge's second lane, the left section. I would like to note that the work involved 500 people and 21 pieces of special equipment. In all, we delivered 2,500 metal structures for eight spans.

The reason why I want to enlarge on this issue is because I want to say a few words about the contractors who have accomplished a lot.

We have successfully completed the bridge's railway section. As you know, on May 5, 2023, we launched traffic via the second track. By July 1 we will complete works to bring the first track we have been working on to standard condition. Both tracks are now open, but we have to make sure that they are up to standard. What is important here? In all, the work involved 170 people and 13 pieces of special equipment; we delivered 524 tonnes of metal structures for two bridge spans, and this is a tremendous effort.

The Crimean Railway, our federal state unitary enterprise, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, ordered all this work. I cannot help but mention our contractors, Nizhneangarsktransstroy: thanks to its engineering solutions and the company's specialists who worked three shifts per day, we managed to practically halve the deadlines for production and putting the bridge into full operation.

This is very important because the bridge is a key facility ensuring transport accessibility to Crimea and the new territories. All of us, all Russian citizens see it as a crucial landmark facility, and for this reason it was very important. We have thus fulfilled your instruction.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

To be continued.