This Friday, traffic in Moscow’s Red Square area will be temporarily closed in observance of Ilyin Day, according to a report from the Telegram channel Deptrans. Immediately. The notification explains that on August 2, access to the Red Square area will be restricted, and Ilyinka Street from Novaya Square to the fifth building on Red Square will be closed from 06:00 to 13:00. Parking will also be prohibited for the duration of the event, ensuring safe surroundings for celebrations and commemorations. The measures reflect a broader approach to managing large-scale urban events in the center of the city, balancing public safety with the needs of local residents and visitors. City officials are urging drivers to plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time during the morning window. (City of Moscow, official advisory)
In parallel with the event schedule, Moscow’s leadership has outlined significant road infrastructure improvements intended to ease congestion and improve accessibility across the metropolitan area. The mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, announced plans for three new roads designed to better connect residential districts with commercial and business hubs, including Moscow City. These new routes aim to alleviate pressure in nine districts that together house about 1.3 million residents and workers. The envisioned networks emphasize seamless connections between key zones, reduce bottlenecks, and offer more direct options for daily commutes. (City of Moscow briefing)
One proposed artery would link the Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo district with the development area around the former Tushinsky airport and extend toward the Khoroshevo-Mnevniki district, with the intent to bypass the Volokolamsk highway where feasible. A second corridor is planned to route traffic from the northern parts of Moscow toward the Moscow City financial and business district, providing a faster route for commuters and visitors heading into the central area. The third project would bypass the Third Transport Ring, running from the former ZIL industrial zone toward the south and southwest, thus distributing traffic more evenly across the city’s ring-road system. (Official city transportation plan)
The announcements come amid broader discussions about modernization and resilience in Moscow’s transport network. Earlier reports highlighted the deployment of unmanned tram technology in the city, signaling a push toward smarter, more autonomous urban mobility options alongside the new road corridors. These developments align with the city’s ongoing efforts to improve reliability, reduce travel times, and support sustainable growth across Moscow’s districts. (Municipal transport updates)