New road signs have appeared on roads in Samara that are awaiting major repairs, a report from the Telegram channel Runner states, accompanied by video showing the current state of play.
The signs have shown up most notably on Democratic Street, which serves as the city’s prominent guest and tourist route. As outlined in the government contract for the road’s reconstruction, the plan is to remove the old asphalt and the existing markings, replacing them with fresh surfaces and new lane indicators.
In response to these developments, State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein pointed out that Valentina Matvienko, the chairwoman of the Federation Council, is expected to visit Samara. He noted that the presidential cortege will travel along Democratic Avenue during the visit, underscoring the route’s ceremonial significance.
Khinshtein commented on social media that Matvienko’s reaction to Samara’s preparations for the visit could be telling. He described the situation as potentially highlighting concerns similar to those seen in the best traditions of Potemkin villages, arguing that a line of freshly painted roadways might mask deeper infrastructural issues.
Additional details indicate that the deputy has ties to Nizhny Novgorod, and has been associated with road construction matters in the region. Reports mention that funds allocated for road work included an 800,000 ruble amount earmarked for a Porsche Cayenne that ended up damaged by a pothole. This sum, however, fell short of covering the broader rehabilitation needs required to restore the roadway’s integrity.