Russian authorities envision a bold expansion of the national transport network. In a plan announced by President Vladimir Putin in August, four high-speed highway corridors are slated for construction, with total spending projected to reach about 10.8 trillion rubles, according to a government disclosure discussed in the Kommersant newspaper. The report summarizes details from a presentation on the strategic development of Russia’s infrastructure through 2030.
Breakdowns in the plan show specific routes and estimated costs. The Moscow–St. Petersburg corridor is expected to carry a price tag of roughly 1.7 trillion rubles. Excluding entry costs to major capitals, the Moscow–Voronezh–Rostov-on-Don–Adler corridor is estimated at about 3.2 trillion rubles. The Moscow–Nizhny Novgorod–Kazan–Yekaterinburg pathway carries an estimate near 4 trillion rubles, while the Moscow–Smolensk–Minsk route stands around 1 trillion rubles, bringing the cumulative figure close to 9 trillion rubles for these lines. These figures are cited in the presentation and reflect route-by-route projections rather than a single combined calculation. [Cited from Kommersant]
The document also notes that the figures do not account for extensions into additional regions designated by the president, and that some estimates are not derived from a uniform per-kilometer cost across all corridors. In fact, the calculations presented are based on per-kilometer costs associated with the St. Petersburg high-speed railway, which may not perfectly mirror the economics of other routes. The presentation nonetheless indicates a potential public-budget impact, predicting that the 4.37 thousand kilometers of high-speed lines could help push budget revenues to about 15.1 trillion rubles and contribute to a GDP increase of roughly 35.2 trillion rubles. [Cited from Kommersant]
Earlier in the week, Putin spoke at the Eastern Economic Forum, outlining a vision to create a single transport corridor extending from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. The plan envisions laying high-speed roads from Siberia and the Far East toward the Pacific coast. The stated objectives go beyond mobility, aiming to spur tourism, improve logistics, support agriculture, and accelerate the development of production centers. In Putin’s view, these projects could drive regional renewal and integrate cities across vast distances, reinforcing Russia’s role as a connected, expansive economy. [Cited from Kommersant]
During remarks at the forum, the president also made a lighthearted aside about the “supreme government of Russia.” The moment underscored the broader narrative of ambitious infrastructure as a backbone for national cohesion and economic diversification. While the exact timelines and cost baselines remain subjects of discussion among analysts and officials, the core takeaway is clear: a comprehensive high-speed transport framework is being positioned as central to Russia’s strategic growth strategy through the next decade. [Cited from Kommersant]