In Moscow, the ongoing development of the Southern Highway is drawing closer to completion, promising to knit together four districts and 24 regional sectors of the capital with a vital web of major routes. The plan also integrates several key arterial corridors that funnel traffic through the city, seeking to relieve bottlenecks and shorten travel times for residents and visitors alike. The update was provided through the city’s official communications channel, which outlined the scope and significance of the project for the broader urban transport network.
Officials report that the South Rockade corridor is now 91% finished, with the entire project structured into eight distinct construction segments. Five of these sections have reached practical completion, while three are still advancing toward the final finishes. The leadership indicated that the main phase of construction is expected to wrap up by year’s end, marking a major milestone for Moscow’s transport ambitions and the city’s ability to move people and goods more efficiently across widespread areas.
The Southern Route stands out as Moscow’s longest new highway project, spanning roughly 40 kilometers. The route is designed to connect Rublevskoe highway with the area known as St. Upper Fields, threading through several major arterial corridors that shape the city’s traffic flow. Along its course, the highway intersects with Mozhaiskoye, Kashirskoye, and Varshavskoye highways, and crosses Leninsky Prospekt, creating smoother connections between the city’s northern, western, and southern zones. The corridor is expected to become a backbone for regional mobility, enabling more direct transit options while enabling freight corridors to bypass congested urban centers during peak periods.
There has been prior public discussion about the construction of three new toll roads in Moscow, a move that aims to distribute traffic more evenly across the metropolitan area and reduce the stress on existing routes. These forthcoming toll segments are projected to form a complementary layer to the core ring and radial roads, offering alternative options for commuters who seek predictable travel times and more consistent service levels, especially during rush hours and when weather conditions complicate road usage.
The planned toll and express routes are envisioned to ease congestion in nine Moscow districts, a grand objective given the region’s population density. In total, these districts host roughly 1.3 million residents who stand to benefit from improved accessibility, shorter commutes, and greater reliability in travel planning. The new network is also expected to spur regional development by improving access to employment hubs, educational facilities, healthcare centers, and commercial zones, thereby supporting economic activity across the wider metropolitan area.
One proposed road would connect the Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo district with the development area around the former Tushinsky airport, linking it to the Khoroshevo-Mnevniki district and offering a bypass around the Volokolamsk highway. This connection is designed to unlock new residential and business opportunities while reducing through traffic on local streets, contributing to safer neighborhoods and a cleaner air footprint. The route will also facilitate more seamless movement for emergency services and public transportation that relies on land corridors to reach diverse parts of the city more quickly.
A second route is planned to run from the northern edge of Moscow toward the Moscow City district, creating a direct conduit that shortens the travel loop for commuters heading to business districts and central districts for work, education, or recreation. The third route is configured to bypass the Third Transport Ring (TTK) and extend from the former ZIL industrial zone down toward the southern and southwestern parts of Moscow. This alignment is intended to relieve pressure on central ring roads, promote better last-mile connectivity, and support economic activity in historically underserved areas by improving access to major employers and service centers.
Earlier glimpses of the city’s transport modernization showed footage of leaders assessing the progress and discussing the broader strategy for state-of-the-art infrastructure. These observations underscore a longer-term plan that emphasizes not only construction milestones but also the integration of road networks with other mobility options, including expanded public transit, pedestrian corridors, and cycling routes designed to foster safer and more sustainable urban travel. The overarching aim is to create a reliable, well-coordinated transportation system that serves diverse daily needs and supports Moscow’s growth as a leading European metropolis.