Construction of the Kerch Strait bridge is a national project of exceptional importance, said Russian President Vladimir Putin when opening a State Council Presidium meeting on developing transport infrastructure in the Southern Federal District in Kerch.
“Of course, construction of the bridge across the Kerch Strait is another important point on our agenda today. This is without question a national project of exceptional importance. The bridge will ensure Crimea’s full integration into the general national transport system and will create new opportunities for economic growth”, said the President.
According to Vladimir Putin, the construction is proceeding at a good pace. The President reminded that the project is not about the bridge alone. It also requires work to prepare road and rail approaches of the highest standards and put in place all supporting and related infrastructure on the Krasnodar Territory side and in Crimea.
“I stress that this crossing must function as a well-coordinated whole right from the start and ensure a rapid and uninterrupted transport link with Crimea”, said Vladimir Putin.
When speaking at the meeting, RF Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said: "The construction is now in the most active phase. The bridge is being built simultaneously across the full length in eight sections. Piles are being driven into the land and into the seabed to form the supports for the road and rail sections of the bridge. A total of just over 7,000 piles will be driven in. Currently, nearly 2,500 have already been installed to their design depth. We have 116 supports of the 595 planned supports already completed, and work is underway on another 138 supports. Assembly of the bridge’s spans is already underway on the land sections. Assembly of the arch spans for the part of the bridge over the water, through which shipping will pass, is an important stage in the construction work. This work is currently underway on the Kerch side."
Construction of the Kerch Strait bridge commenced in February 2016. The bridge will be opened for road transport in December 2018, for trains – on December 1, 2019.