Upcoming M-4 Don Highway Repairs and Traffic Expectations
Over the next eight weeks, officials warn of significant traffic slowdowns along parts of the M-4 Don federal highway. The warning comes as a major modernization and repair project is set to affect a lengthy 108-kilometer stretch, primarily through the Rostov region. The aim is to restore pavement and improve surface quality, but the scale of the repairs means travelers should anticipate delays and plan accordingly. The project timeline and the extent of the work have prompted officials to urge careful route planning and patience on the road.
To maintain work quality and safety, one direction of travel on the most affected sections will be closed for a continuous segment ranging from five to fifteen kilometers. During these intervals, traffic will be diverted onto a single lane for each direction, effectively reducing the road to a bottleneck while construction proceeds. The scheduling philosophy favors minimizing overall disruption, so work is planned around the clock to accelerate completion and bring the road back to full capacity sooner. Motorists should expect alternating traffic flows, reduced speeds, and potential congestion as crews advance through the stages of resurfacing, reinforcement, and stabilization work.
Officials advise drivers to explore alternative routes via regional road networks when possible or to allow extra travel time to absorb the anticipated delays. This proactive approach can help prevent bottlenecks and keep the region moving while the heavy maintenance program is underway. The aim is to balance safety, efficiency, and timely project completion, with ongoing updates as the work progresses and stages shift.
Fully completed repairs are targeted for mid-June, after which the M-4 Don is expected to return to its habitual role as a major corridor linking Moscow with Krasnodar. The highway carries a significant seasonal flow, particularly in the summer when residents and visitors travel to the Black Sea coast and to resort areas in Crimea. Keeping this route reliable remains a priority for transportation authorities, motorists, and the local economy alike.
Avtodor, the state company responsible for overseeing these federal highways, was established in 2009 and manages a substantial network of paid and concessioned road segments. As of 2021, Avtodor reported stewardship of more than 3,500 kilometers of roadway, underscoring its pivotal role in maintaining capacity, safety, and service standards on Russia’s national highway system.
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