The government has allocated more than 18.5 billion rubles to rebuild and widen federal highways through 2022. The funds are earmarked specifically to enhance the M-1 Belarus and M-4 Don corridors. An official order authorizing the expenditure was signed by Mikhail Mishustin on June 9, and the government website outlines the precise use of the money. This strategic decision aligns with a broader effort to modernize Russia’s transportation network and strengthen cross-border connectivity with neighboring regions [Source: Russian government portal].
“Both highways carry heavy flows of passengers and freight”, Mishustin noted during a meeting on June 9. He emphasized that upgrading road infrastructure will speed up the delivery of goods to end customers and relieve drivers by reducing traffic jams and congestion. The plan envisions faster, safer, and more predictable travel and commercial transport along these critical routes [Source: official remarks].
Officials also highlighted that the funds will be drawn from the reserve fund to enable rapid replacement of the carriageways and the construction of new interchanges, minimizing downtime and maintaining continuous traffic during the reconstruction. This approach prioritizes practical continuity as the work progresses and integrates with longer-term road network planning [Source: government report].
Beyond traditional road works, there is an unusual funding detail: part of the budget will support the construction of ecoducts to allow safe animal passage over the highways. This element is part of the national Safe Quality of Roads program, which seeks to fuse mobility with ecological and wildlife considerations while maintaining high safety and service standards for road users [Source: national transport policy documents].
- In the Amur region near Blagoveshchensk, the first bridge linking Russia and China has become a milestone for regional cooperation and cross-border trade.
- The new route openings and improvements have been showcased through streaming platforms, broadening public access to progress updates and project milestones.