Russia to build 1.250-mile toll highway linking China and Europe

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Russian government has approved the construction of the Meridian highway – a massive infrastructure project, designed to significantly shorten cargo routes between Asia and Europe. The project is expected to cost around $9.5 billion.

New tolled motorway across Russia has won the support of the Russian government, Vedomosti business daily said, citing government officials. The highway is set to stretch over 2,000km from the Belarus border to the frontier with Kazakhstan, and it is expected to become part of the fastest trucking route between China and Europe.

The motorway will reportedly cost around 600 billion rubles ($9.5 billion). The projectโ€™s operator has already bought out around 80 percent of the land required for the construction of the road.

While the construction will fully rely on investorsโ€™ funds without taking money from the Russian budget, the government has pledged to assist with attracting new investment for the project, including from China. However, investors want the government to ensure their minimal revenue of around $550 million, covering not commercial but political risks such as the closure of state borders.

Given that tolls will be charged for trucks and cars, as well as the large capacity of the highway, the project is expected to break even in 12 years.

The Meridian highway falls under Chinaโ€™s ambitious transcontinental trade and infrastructure project called One Belt, One Road, which Russia supports.

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Chief Assignment editor is Oleg Siziakov

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