Construction of bridge between Russia and Azerbaijan approved

Russia's Main Department of State Expertise reviewed the project documentation and the results of engineering surveys related to the construction of an automobile bridge across Samur River between two villages of Samur in Azerbaijan and Yarag-Kazmalar in Russia. The boundary will be in the middle of the bridge.

Having studied the presented materials, the experts came to the conclusion that the results of engineering surveys and design documentation meet the requirements. In addition, it is established that the estimated cost of construction was reliably determined. As a result of those reviews, positive conclusions were issued, the Glavgosexpertiza said.

Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Ilyas Umakhanov, speaking earlier with Vestnik Kavkaza, stressed that the construction of a new bridge over Samur river would strengthen Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation. "This is a very important and long-awaited decision, since a number of projects are tied to it," Ilyas Umakhanov noted.

In this regard, the new bridge will eliminate one of the main technical obstacles to the delivery of high-quality products from Azerbaijan to Russia. "The construction of a new bridge has a second aspect as well: it has an important political and even symbolic significance," the deputy chairman of the Federation Council concluded.

The political scientist Rovshan Ibragimov, in turn, also stressed the need for a new bridge. "The existing infrastructure does not meet the needs of Russia and Azerbaijan in transport communications. The fact is that the route across the Samur River is the main one for export of Azerbaijani agricultural products to Russia," he said.

"In addition, do not forget that this route is part of the North-South transport corridor, within which a project is currently being implemented to build a railway in Iran - which means that over time, not just road, but also rail transportation of goods from Azerbaijan to Russia will increase," Rovshan Ibrahimov underlined.

The expert drew attention to the fact that an unhindered auto service will make export of Azerbaijani agricultural products to Russia more efficient. "Agricultural products are perishable, and if the transport infrastructure is improved, it will positively affect not just traffic growth, but also production of agricultural products oriented to the Russian market and the markets of other CIS countries," he concluded.

The old bridge across Samur was built in 1957 as part of the Samursky hydroelectric complex. It does not meet modern standards and requirements, so it will be closed to the public movement soon.

The new trans-border automobile bridge is planned to be built 60 m from the old one. A two-lane bridge will have a possibility of organizing a reversible lane during rush hours. Its length will be 325.3 meters and width 17.3 meters, seismic resistance - nine points.

According to the intergovernmental agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation of August 13, 2013, both states' costs will be equal. Russia's financing of construction is planned to be provided from the federal budget.