The first cross-border link between Russia and China was inaugurated across the Amur River, marking a milestone after a period of pandemic-induced lull. The facility had originally been slated for a late 2020 opening, but delays pushed the ceremony to a later date. The ribbon-cutting was broadcast via teleconference from studios in Moscow, Vladivostok, Beijing, and on-site locations in Blagoveshchensk and Heihe.
“Let’s go,” declared Hua Changsheng, the governor of Heilongjiang Province, in a mix of Russian and local ceremony ritual as traffic began to move. In light of ongoing health restrictions in China, the initial phase focuses on freight with passengers newly restricted from using the bridge. The technical plan specifies a daily capacity for 630 trucks, 164 buses, and 68 cars crossing from Blagoveshchensk to Heihe.
Thus a convoy of eight Gazprom Helium Service tractors, powered by liquefied natural gas, became the first to enter China. They were greeted by eight Chinese trucks bearing automotive tires and electrical components.
Pedestrians will not be permitted on the bridge at this stage; only vehicles are allowed. Observers noted that pedestrian zones exist strictly for maintenance access between openings.
In today’s geopolitically nuanced landscape, the Blagoveshchensk–Heihe link is seen as a vital artery that could weave tighter ties between Russian and Chinese communities, with officials contributing remotely to the proceedings.
Deputy Prime Minister Trutnev highlighted the bridge’s financial structure, noting that the project was funded in part by private Russian investors, totaling 19 billion rubles, including 14 billion from local stakeholders. He expressed confidence that the project would eventually recoup its costs.
The bridge’s value is underscored by its potential to shorten travel by about 300 kilometers, thereby lowering transportation expenses and expanding the user base for the crossing. Vasily Orlov, the Amur Region governor, estimated that an average car journey might cost around 8,700 rubles; as the bridge earns its costs, prices could fall over time. Some forecasts suggest cost reductions could materialize within roughly 15 years, with broader market effects unfolding over decades.
Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev anticipated that the new link could boost annual cargo turnover by up to one million tons, while also trimming costs and shortening transit times for freight.
Vladimir Trutnev, a senior regional official and representative for the Far East, emphasized that “Russia’s return to the east” could be reinforced by extending the Trans-Siberian Railway to include Amur bridges. He noted that the project carries significance not only for the Far East and the Amur region but for the entire country’s future logistics landscape.
On the Chinese side, officials aim to leverage the bridge to enhance logistics services and expand bilateral cooperation. Hu Chunhua, a vice premier of the State Council, stated that joint efforts would turn the crossing into a symbol of friendship and collaboration. Local reports indicate thousands of workers from both nations participated in construction. The finished span measures 1080 meters in length and 11 meters in width, with two traffic lanes. The bridge connects Kanikurgan on the Russian shore to Changfa in Heihe, with the overall crossing extending roughly 20 kilometers. About six kilometers lie within Chinese territory, while just over thirteen kilometers traverse Russian land. Construction occurred over four years, with both sides progressing largely in parallel and sometimes under severe weather conditions. Two bridge sections were secured in May 2019.
There is already an existing Nizhneleninskoye–Tongjiang railway bridge at the Russia–China border in the Jewish Autonomous Okrug. Amur Region leadership mentioned plans for two additional crossings, Dzhalinda–Mohe and Blagoveshchensk–Heihe, aimed at expanding train routes. Experts caution that these ambitions depend on traffic assessments and load projections for the Russian cross-border corridor, ensuring the new infrastructure can handle rising cargo volumes and passenger demand while maintaining safety and reliability.