Western velocity diameter: scheme

The long-standing need to create a transport link between the north-western regions of St. Petersburg and its central part was embodied in the large-scale construction of an intraurban toll highway called the Western High-Speed Diameter.

How it all began

The history of the project began in 1990, when the government of the USSR in the next decree on the prospects of state construction put it into the plan for the coming decade. Over the years, the leaders of the now Russian state did not neglect the issue of improving and developing the transport infrastructure of the Northern capital.

The beginning of construction work was laid in 2005. The construction of the main line is carried out continuously, with the gradual introduction of ready-made road sections into the system.

Speedway Significance

The result of many years of work will be a high-speed line connecting the southern part of the city (Moscow and Kirov districts) with Vasilevsky Island and the Primorsky region. The new road will allow to remove the main traffic load from the central part of St. Petersburg, as well as in the southern and northern parts of the city.

In accordance with the master plan, the Western high-speed diameter of St. Petersburg consists of three sections: North, South and Central. The total length of the transport system reaches forty-seven kilometers. Almost half of this length is occupied by bridge structures, overpasses and tunnels.

Uniqueness of construction objects

The presence of a large number of artificial structures was dictated by the features of the industrial infrastructure and the landscape area in the area of the highway. In order not to violate the integrity of the previously erected facilities, and also to show a cautious attitude to the green territory, the architects of the project decided to build a significant part of the route on the flyovers.

Nothing like this has been built in Russia. The leader in the field of innovative construction became the Western high-speed diameter. St. Petersburg can be proud of modern facilities, which are sure to become the new sights of the Northern capital.

Some of the buildings can be considered unique. Such will be the cable-stayed bridge, under which passes the Ship's channel. The length of the central span of the said facility is more than three hundred meters. Another bridge crossing the Petrovsky fairway has a main span of two hundred and twenty meters in length. At the intersection of the Marine Canal, work is underway to erect a four-hundred-meter bridge structure, which has two tiers.

Operating areas of diameter

The first fragment of the Southern section was inaugurated in October 2008. Completely he entered the service in four years. The southern section originates from the Ring Road and connects with the traffic junction on the embankment of the Ekateringofka River.

The length of the Southern highway is eight and a half kilometers. Almost two thirds of the way is occupied by trestles and bridges. This is the most important piece of diameter, supporting the intensity of the continuous flow of large-sized transport in the direction of the Big Seaport.

The Western high-speed diameter was continued by the opening of the labor movement in the North section in August 2013. The solemn event was attended by the President of Russia. The length of the new route was over twenty-six kilometers - this is more than half of the total length that the Western High-Speed Diameter occupies. The traffic scheme runs from Primorsky Avenue to the motorway of international importance E-18 under the name "Scandinavia".

Central section of the track

As for the Central Section, at present intensive work is underway to erect it. The western high-speed diameter on Vasilievsky Island will be laid along the border of the whole territory, connecting it with the Admiralty and Primorsky districts of St. Petersburg. The total length of the route is about twelve kilometers. This is the most difficult part in the technical plan of the project, since it is planned to build ten artificial structures. According to preliminary calculations, the launch of the Central thread is expected by early 2016.

Economic and technical indicators of the project

The Western Speed Diameter is the largest European model of partnership between public and private investors. As a result of the merger of cash flows, a budget was formed that exceeded the amount of two hundred and ten billion rubles. Half of them are budgetary funds, forty percent are the money of private investors. The remaining ten percent were attracted by the issuance of government loan bonds.

On different sections of the route, there are four to eight lanes. The permitted maximum speed of motor transport on the motorway is 110 kilometers per hour. After the commissioning of all sections of the road, the expected throughput will be at least one hundred thousand cars.

Effective fares for travel

The Western high-speed diameter is a toll road, the funds from which will be directed to maintain the grandiose construction in the appropriate technical condition.

The operating sections of the diameter are divided into several tariff zones, where the fare depends on the type of vehicle and time of day. For cars and small-sized trucks, the price ranges from ten to forty rubles. Owners of heavy trucks must pay from thirty to one hundred and thirty rubles.

Forms of payment

For the convenience of using the pass, motorists are offered several forms of payment. Those who rarely drive through the WHSD can buy a ticket for cash or pay with a bank card.

Another payment option is the use of contactless smart cards, which can be borrowed from the operator servicing the route. BSCs can be anonymous or personified. Registration of the latter gives the user a discount of 10 percent. It is enough to replenish the account on the card regularly, and movement along the road will be almost unhindered.

When regular freight traffic through the Western High Speed Diameter is performed, the transponder becomes the most acceptable method of calculation. A special electronic device is fixed on the windshield of the vehicle and guarantees instant payment when entering the highway. Transponders can be obtained from a high-speed road operator. The constant use of an electronic means of payment provides preferential travel at a discount of up to twenty percent.

The actively operating route is designed to help make St. Petersburg Europe's largest traffic junction. After the full commissioning of the entire highway line of the Western High-Speed Diameter, it can be safely put forward as a contender for the official title of the miracle of the world of the twenty-first century.