Russia's Leningrad region has set a budget worth over US$179 million for road improvements in 2011. The funds will be used for regional road repairs and maintenance. Around 60% of the budget will be used for repairs to 354km of regional roads while 20% will be targeted at maintaining existing links. Some 8.6% will be for general repairs to storage areas used by municipalities for road machinery with the remaining sum to be used for new road machines. The Leningrad region has plans for a total road network comprising some 1,500km of Federal and regional roads. However there has been no budget set aside for additional new road construction at present. Estimates for the region's intended road development plans exceed $3.2 billion and with Russia's road programme pushing ahead, the Federal Government may yet assign further finances from central funds as well as releasing details of commercial concession packages. International interest is likely to be strong when full details of the Leningrad region's future road plans are revealed, including possible concession deals and PPP projects being opened up to contractors.
