(Kazakhstan today) - The construction of a bridge over Kigach river is due to be completed in September 2007, so that the construction will be completed one year and a half ahead of schedule. Alexander Zhilkin, governor of Astrakhan region, has stated this at a briefing in Aktau today, August 25, Kazakhstan Today correspondent reports.
According to him, at a meeting between the Presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan it was suggested to speed up the process of the bridge construction and to complete it as soon as possible, reports Trend.
Mr. Zhilkin observed that the construction of this bridge is the main project for the development of "West-East" corridor. "The development of "West-East" corridor was impeded by the ferry communication across the river. Now the bridge construction is at an active phase and in September it is expected to be completed. It will allow to increase the freight flow significantly," - he said.
The governor of Astrakhan region has reminded that currently there is the ferry communication in this direction, which strongly limits the traffic of freight and passengers from Russia to Kazakhstan and back. "And although the ferries work round the clock, they do not manage to satisfy the needs of the traffic of freight and passengers that has tripled over the last three years. This is live cash, coming from Kazakhstan to Russia as commodities, the same customs fees," - he has explained.
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