South Ossetia has started preparations for the renovation of the
Roksky mountain pass tunnel of the Trans-Caucasus highway, Res
reports.
The Trans-Caucasus highway is the shortest connection between Russia
and the Trans-Caucasus and the Middle East. The Roksky tunnel is the
center of the federal highway. The structure is in poor condition
after almost 30 years of exploitation.
The structure is part of the Russian Roads federal purpose program for
2010-2015. 20 billion rubles were provided for maintenance. The
preparation works started in early 2011. A parallel tunnel will be
prepared before starting the renovation. It will be extended by 5
meters, allowing large vehicles to pass.
The reconstruction works will begin in 2012. The tunnel will open in
2015. Over 100 specialists from transport and fire security services,
agencies for equipment exploitation will be involved.
Gayoz Makiyev, head of the North Caucasus federal agency for highways,
said that they will also construct two facilities for protection from
geological and meteorological processes in 3-4 years.
Construction of a 300-meter anti-avalanche structure started from the
Chertov bridge to the Northern Portal of the Roksky tunnel. There is
an anti-avalanche gallery on the 90th and 91 km of the Trans-Caucasus
Highway, 300 meters longer to the north.
