20km Kerch Strait Bridge to link Russia and Crimea is well underway
Contractor SGM-Bridge (Stroygazmontazh Group) is constructing the 20km Kerch Strait Link connecting Crimea to the Krasnodar region on the Russian mainland. Work commenced in 2015, and due for completion in 2018, at an estimated cost of around US$4 billion.
On the mainland side, the bridge is advancing towards the tip of eastern Crimea from the Tuzla Spit, whilst in the centre of the strait where the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov merge, a section of a four-lane road bridge and a two-track railway is under construction supported by arches creating a channel for shipping.
According to Russian officials, 70% of the piles for the 12-mile road bridge were in place, and almost a third of those for the parallel railway would be completed by the end of 2017.