Sakhalin to get closer to mainland

The federal center is ready to help Sakhalin in the development of the ports of Nevelsk and Kholmsk. The federal government is also ready to help the island develop road and air communication. Thus, Russia's island region will become closer to the mainland.  

The key question for the Sakhalin region is the development of port infrastructure. According to Governor Oleg Kozhemyako, "the transport accessibility of the island for foreign tourists and passengers from Russia remains problematic. There are cargo handling problems. We hope to start solving these issues with the support from  Rosmorport," the governor said. 

The agreements for the development of three ports - Korsakov, Nevelsk and Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinks have been signed with the federal center. 

Air communication has been developing as well. Many problems have been solved with the launch of a new airport in Iturup. A large-scale reconstruction of the gateway of the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk continues. Representatives of federal agencies are to discuss a large-scale project, which, if implemented, will change the situation considerably.

"All the projects that we are now going to implement in Sakhalin are necessary in connection with the development of the entire transport infrastructure of Russia. Yet, I think it will not satisfy all the needs that we currently have, unless we return to the project of the construction of a bridge between Sakhalin and the mainland," first deputy chairman of the Duma Committee for Transport, Mikhail Bryachak, told Pravda.Ru. 

The hearings on the project are scheduled to take place later this year. As a result, either a tunnel or a bridge will be built to ensure reliable communication between the island and the mainland. 

"I think there is every chance for the problem to be solved positively," Mikhail Bryachak added. 

Pravda.Ru