New highway and bridge projects are being planned that will boost connectivity in the Russian Federation. One project lies close to the city of Ufa while another is in the Perm Region. The project to build the new Eastern Exit highway link close to Ufa, capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, is now expected to cost US$590.1 million, compared with the $503.3 million that was originally anticipated. Financing worth $425.2 million will be provided by the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank), with the work expected to take 36 months to complete. The 16km highway connection includes a 1.2km tunnel section and a 2.5km bridge spanning the Ufa River and will be constructed by the Turkish contractor 5095 Limak. Because the Ufa River has changed its course many times in the area to the east of the city of Ufa, the ground will pose a number of engineering challenges. This is likely to be a factor in the increased cost of the project compared to the original estimates.
Meanwhile the tender process is underway for a bridge spanning the Chusovaya River in the Perm Region, to the north of Ufa. The project is expected to cost $260.3 million. A number of contractors have submitted bids including Stroytransgaz, ABZ-Dorstroy, Pilon and Uralmostostroy.
