Russian President Vladimir Putin launched traffic along the entire Northern Tver Bypass down the M-11 Neva a year ahead of schedule. From now on, one can ride from Moscow to St. Petersburg using a comfortable highway without a single traffic light, and travel time has been cut by 30-50 minutes.
A traffic route bypassing Togliatti in the Samara region was also launched.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District Igor Shchegolev, Governor of the Tver Region Igor Rudenya, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Highways State Company Vyacheslav Petushenko.
“We are opening new sections of the most important roads in Russia. Thus, we are taking the next step in consolidating the transport and economic connectivity of the regions, in the development of efficient logistics and a safe road network, in shaping up the promising international transport corridors, and most vitally, in improving the quality of life. That is because transportation and logistics always form the foundation, the basis for increasing economic activity, and therefore for bettering the quality of life,” stressed Vladimir Putin.
The President noted that the Russian Highways State Company makes an appreciable contribution to this work.
“Tomorrow the Company will celebrate its 15th Anniversary. I congratulate your great, well-coordinated team on this wonderful event and wish you all the best,” said Vladimir Putin.
“Today, two essential road sections have been opened. They were built on the instructions of the President and completed ahead of schedule. The Northern Tver Bypass became the final stage in the construction of the M-11 Neva highway from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Now the travel time will be 30-50 minutes shorter. The new section provides connectivity with the others important transport projects. It became the last link to launch seamless high-speed traffic from the west to the east of the country — from St. Petersburg to Kazan the road will stretch for 1,520 km. Certainly, the bypass of Tolyatti in the Samara region is also a strategically important facility for the entire nation. It is part of the 9 thousand km long international transport route “Europe – Western China” with access to Kazakhstan and China, 2.4 thousand km of which run across the territory of Russia. Today, with the launch of the bypass, 67% of this road features 4 lanes or more. We will keep aligning our plans for the development of the route with our colleagues from Kazakhstan. Also, the Tolyatti Bypass is an alternate passage through the bottleneck of the M-5 Ural highway, in particular, a busy section running through the Zhigulevskaya HPP. Travel time there will be reduced by two hours. All in all, the new bypasses are not only the most crucial part of the three transport routes “Russia”, “Europe - Western China”, “North - South”, but also a link with the entire backbone road network of this country. More than 50% of the country’s population dwells in the attraction zone of these routes, so first and foremost, the new sections will provide impetus to the development of our regions in the areas of housing and infrastructure construction, industry, trade, and tourism. I extend my gratitude to the President and Chairman of the Government for systematic support of the road-building industry, the Heads of the Tver and Samara regions for their personal monitoring, and the Russian Highways company that succeeded in implementation of such grand-scale project. And, certainly, thanks to the road builders for their colossal efforts and magnificent results,” stated Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.
The Northern Tver Bypass is just over 62 km long. This is a road section of the highest technical category with four lanes, separated traffic flows and lighting along its entire length. The speed limit at the bypass is 130 km/h.
The builders erected four transport interchanges, 28 overpasses and bridges, including the largest road structure of the Northern Tver Bypass — the bridge across the Volga River. The bridge stands on 10 tiers; the length of the structure is 738 meters, and its width is a bit more than 24 meters. The height of the structure's span over the water reaches 17 meters that enables sizable cruise ships to pass under the bridge during the navigation season.
The bridge across the Volga in the Tver region is one of the shining examples that Russian experts are capable of solving technological issues of the highest complexity. The imposing structure was erected using domestically manufactured materials. Metal structures were utilized in construction — their total weight is 6.2 thousand tons. Anti-corrosion paints and varnishes, composites, barrier fencing, over 145 thousand high-strength bolts, waterproofing, lighting masts and LED lamps — all these items are made in Russia.
Like the entire M-11, the Tver Bypass is equipped with an automated traffic control system that enables to monitor the road and notify drivers, operational services and emergency commissioners on traffic conditions and events down the motorway. Mesh fencing has been installed to prevent accidents involving wild life. For the convenience of local residents dwelling near the highway, over 100 thousand linear meters of noise barriers have been installed.
During the peak period, more than 1,300 workers and about 1,000 units of machinery were employed day and night at the construction site of the Tver Bypass.
Simultaneously, works were carried out to create roadside infrastructure — two cutting edge multifunctional road service zones (MSZ) are under construction down the Tver Bypass.
“These will be the largest road service facilities in Russia. The area of each MFZ will be about 1500 m2. Apart from refueling their cars, road users will be able to take a rest, enjoy high-quality hot food, buy everything they need, walk their pets, warm up at the sports area or take their children to the playground. There will also be a pharmacy, laundry and showers, and a two-level summer terrace under the building roof. Moreover, today we are opening yet another new multifunctional zone at the 75 km post of the M-11 towards St. Petersburg, and tomorrow at the 620 km post of the M-12 towards Kazan. Thus, 30 of the most advanced multifunctional zones will operate along the route from the northern capital to the capital of Tatarstan. We won’t stop there and will keep developing services for motorists — by the end of the year it is planned to open 11 more such facilities on the M-11 Neva, the Central Ring Road and the M-12 Vostok,” revealed Vyacheslav Petushenko.
One can find out more about tariff plans and payment methods on the Russian Highways-Toll Roads website. For those who plan to frequently travel along the new section of the M-11, season tickets are available that allow to save up to 30%.
