Alexander Beglov reported on the implementation of the President’s instruction concerning the development of transport infrastructure in the St Petersburg agglomeration. The main objective is the construction of bascule bridges. At present, five bascule bridges are under construction. One – the Bolshoi Smolensky Bridge – has been almost fully assembled, with two bascules weighing 600 tonnes each. The bridge has already completed its first navigation season. The Governor noted that this is the first bridge to be built in St Petersburg in 40 years. In 2027, it will be opened to traffic, and in 2028 the work will be fully completed, with all interchanges.
The second bridge – the Arsenalny Bridge – was planned as far back as 1965 and is now included in the master plan; it is 600 metres long and has six lanes. A corresponding agreement is set to be signed.
Alexander Beglov also spoke about the Novo-Admiralteisky Bridge, a bascule bridge in Otradnoye, and a bridge forming part of the Latitudinal High-Speed Highway, with six lanes and a tram line. Another bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2030 with a height of up to 10 metres to allow the passage of vessels.
Vladimir Putin recalled the problems associated with the construction of a railway station. The Governor confirmed that there are many outstanding issues, but they are solvable.
The construction of the metro, which is under the President’s special supervision, was also discussed. Alexander Beglov noted that five tunnel-boring machines are already in operation. Two were ordered from the Obukhov Plant in St Petersburg, while others have been repaired. By September, the sixth tunnel-boring machine will be launched. Work on metro construction is accelerating. The number of workers has been increased from 2,500 to almost 6,500. Alexander Beglov recalled that when the former Metrostroy company went bankrupt, an entity fully controlled by the city had to be created. At present, the construction of a metro line to Pulkovo and the Expoforum is being developed. This is a very important metro line because the airport is located nearby.
Alexander Beglov also recalled that three years ago the President set the task of establishing waste processing, as none existed in St Petersburg. The President then recommended creating a dedicated company. Today, five facilities are under construction in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. One has already been put into service, with a capacity of 600,000 tonnes. The second has been launched. Modern refuse collection vehicles have been purchased, including small-sized vehicles to operate in central districts of the city, where there are many arches and other narrow spaces.
Discussing assistance to veterans of the special military operation, the Governor elaborated on the organisation of training for participants in the special military operation, enabling them to obtain additional education and acquire additional competencies. In particular, the creation of workshops at industrial enterprises is being encouraged, so that participants in the special military operation can come, try things out, watch how it works so as to have the opportunity to choose a profession. Appropriate conditions are being created for this.
Personnel training was also discussed, with the Governor reporting that unemployment in St Petersburg stands at only 1.5 percent.
Alexander Beglov also reported that, in accordance with the President’s instruction, St Petersburg has begun cooperating with Cuba and, for the first time in Russia, has admitted ten students not to higher education institutions, but to colleges. They are already learning Russian and, from September 1, will begin mastering respective professions.