RIA OREANDA
Economic News
August 24, 2004 Tuesday

Minister Of Transport Of Russia Reports To Vladimir Putin On Plans On
Development Of Transport Infrastructure In The South Of Russia

Sochi. Sochi. Vladimir Putin met with the Minister of Transport Igor
Levitin, the press-service of the President of Russian Federation
informed.

Issues on development of transport infrastructure in the south of
Russia were discussed. Share of southern region makes approximately
30 % of transportation volume, thus the transport network is advanced
non-uniformly. The Ministry of Transport plans to reconsider
transport concept with the purpose of harmonization of automobile,
railway, sea and air communications for reduction of costs at
transportations of passengers and cargoes and their safety.

Among actual goals are development of sea transportations between
Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia.

Besides, the Ministry of Transport plans finishing construction of
roundabout road around Sochi within four years. Moreover, according
to Levitin, 8 billion rubles will be spent on construction of seven
large bridges in southern regions of Russia in 2005.