Kerch Strait Bridge project budget

A new budget projection has been set for Russia’s landmark Kerch Strait Bridge project. A close analysis of the various cost factors has now set the project’s pricetag at US$3.57 billion. Originally the project was expected to cost in the region of $1.5-3 billion but the challenging conditions and the tough winter climate have led to increased costs. The bridge will be 4.5km long and link Russia’s Taman Peninsula with the Crimean Peninsula. This new bridge will provide both road and rail links between the city of Krasnodar in Russia, and Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula. The design features four lanes for vehicle traffic and twin rail lines and the bridge is being constructed by the SGM Group. It is not the first bridge to span the Kerch Strait however. A temporary bridge structure was constructed in the 1940s but this last for only six months until it was wrecked by winter ice. Work on the new bridge commenced in May 2015 and is expected to last until late 2018.