Russia may build toll roads soon

In ten years, many toll roads will appear in Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Yakovlev said at a press conference on Monday.

Construction of tollways will help resolve many problems relating to the overcrowded trunk routes, he said. Toll roads will supplement free roads.

Mr. Yakovlev supports the active involvement of private business in road construction. "Building roads on budget money alone is impossible," he believes.

The Transportation Ministry is not unanimous on the matter, Mr. Yakovlev noted. "It is easier to squeeze money out of the budget," he continued. "Attracting businesses is much harder." "We will lobby for private road construction," he said.

He recalled that Russia's Transportation Strategy Until 2005 has a section on building toll roads. The cabinet will consider the Transportation Strategy on December 18, Mr. Yakovlev reported.