Russia has commenced construction on its inaugural high-speed railway on Thursday, with a targeted speed surpassing 250 kilometers per hour. This railway will connect Moscow and St. Petersburg, two major cities in the country.
In a video message for the groundbreaking ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the significance of this project, highlighting its impact on the six regions it will traverse. These regions are home to approximately 30 million people, which constitutes around 20% of Russia’s total population.
Putin stated that the high-speed railway will contribute significantly to infrastructure development, regional progress, and the improvement of people’s quality of life within these areas.
Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev provided insights into the project, revealing that once completed, the travel time between Moscow and St. Petersburg via train will be slashed from 4 hours to just 2 hours and 15 minutes. Moreover, the travel duration between other cities along the route will also be considerably reduced.
The Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed rail initiative is set to be operational by 2028, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transportation sector. In addition to the two major cities, the project will also see the opening of 14 stations along its route to enhance connectivity.
