Ilsur Metshin on the reconstruction of the Gorkovskoye Highway: “We will get a flying highway without traffic lights, the fastest in Kazan”

In Kazan, tunnels of turning loops were built at the intersection of Frunze and Vosstaniya Streets with Bolotnikova Street during the reconstruction of the Gorkovskoye Highway. In addition to the loop tunnel, an underground pedestrian crossing has been built along Zalesnaya Street near the Olympietz sports complex. Concrete works are being carried out on the retaining walls of the facility. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of the capital of the republic of Tatarstan, inspected the progress of the reconstruction of the highway together with journalists.

“Few people know that this is not the first reconstruction, –  he drew attention. – The highway was built in the mid-70s and has served for several decades. By the millennium anniversary of Kazan in 1999, four lanes were made of the two-lane highway, the reconstruction took seven years. But today we don't have those seven years.”

The Mayor reminded that the work started last year and is planned to be completed in October 2024. The 11 km long flying highway will be without traffic lights, and the capacity will almost double up to 11 thousand cars per hour. It is planned to expand the road to six lanes – three in each direction.

In total, three underground and five aboveground pedestrian crossings, three underground U-turn loops, one tunnel and one overpass will open on Gorkovskoye Highway. The length of the exits and local driveways will be 6.5 km. There will also be a 3-4.5 m wide sidewalk and a 1.5 m wide bike path.

“This is the most important infrastructure facility, thanks to the Rais of the republic Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov for his attention to the capital. Along with the Voznesensky Tract, the Gorkovskoye Highway will greatly increase the capacity. Today there are traffic jams, but we will get a flying highway without traffic lights, the fastest in Kazan,”- Ilsur Metshin believes.

According to Igor Kulyazhev, Deputy head of the Executive Committee, pedestrian crossings, loops and other objects will be put into operation as work on them is completed. Three lanes from the Fakel shopping center to the Olympietz Sports Complex and temporary roads are already completed, the existing pavement on the section from the Fakel shopping center to Osinovskaya Street has been repaired.

The turning loop near the Olympietz Sports Complex is 70% completed. All concrete works have already been completed, the removal of soil is now underway, workers are engaged in slopes, preparing for the laying of asphalt.

“By November, the road will be almost ready. It is necessary to lay the top layer of asphalt concrete, but in November it is too late for these works. Therefore, we will open it in spring 2024,”- said Igor Kulyazhev.

According to him, the readiness of the turning loop in the direction of the M-7 highway is estimated at 50%. This is due to the purchase of land plots and real estate.

115 road workers and 65 vehicles are involved in the reconstruction of Gorkovskoye Highway every day.