Russia and Poland agree to build highway between Kaliningrad and Elblag

Russian Transport Minister Sergei Frank yesterday signed an agreement in Warsaw on the construction of a highway between Kaliningrad and Elblag. The agreement also covers the construction of a new crossing point on the Russian-Polish border.

The highway will around 100 kilometres long, of which 42 kilometres will pass through Russian territory. Before World War II the highway linked Berlin and Konigsberg. Work to rebuild the Kaliningrad section of the road began in 1992, but it was soon halted after a lack of funds forced Poland to abandon plans to repair its section of the road.

The new agreement sets out a timescale for completing the rebuilding work and equipping the new border crossing. Work should be completed by the second half of 2005. Russia has allocated 305 million roubles (USD 10 million) for the project. According to Sergei Frank, 'implementing this transport project is extremely important for the Kaliningrad Region's economy, which has extensive trade ties with Europe.'