On Wednesday, November 27, the launch of traffic on the M11 toll road between Moscow and St. Petersburg took place. Its length is 669 km. The opening ceremony of the highway was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The head of state arrived at one of the payment points, which is located near St. Petersburg, and talked with Rosavtodor employees. He, in particular, reported the results of a public vote during which the Russians chose the name for the new highway. The Neva variant got the most votes, so the new highway will now be called that way. Other popular options were Valdai and Two Capitals.

In addition, the Russian leader was shown the work of a collection control center.

After the start of the movement, Putin held a meeting on “the impact of the implementation of the investment project for the construction of the M11 Moscow-St. Petersburg highway on the socio-economic development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation”.

“We are not only planning projects of this magnitude, but also implementing them as planned ... We are well aware that there hasn’t been anything like this in the history of road construction in Russia. As the workers said: "Now there is." We will assume that this is the first experience, the experience is positive, good. There are plans for the further development of such routes in other areas, ”Putin said in his opening speech.

The President also pointed out that the M11 highway increases the investment attractiveness of the regions through which it passes. In this regard, he turned to the leaders of the respective areas, emphasizing that their work for the most part is “just beginning”.

“The track should be equipped, and this is entirely your task. The road workers did their job, the track was built, but the arrangement - it just needs to be implemented with your direct participation, ”the Russian leader emphasized.

According to the head of state, it is necessary to organize rest and food points, build gas stations and organize communication and Internet access along the highway.

“Everything should work in a modern way: the way the track itself looks like,” Putin explained.

At the same time, the head of state emphasized that traffic jams should not form at the entrances and exits of the M11 highway.

“There will be no traffic jams, Vladimir Vladimirovich,” assured Transport Minister Yevgeny Dietrich.

He also said that at the moment the speed limit on the highway is 110 km / h, and in summer this threshold will be increased to 130 km / h. In addition, the head of the Ministry of Transport called the fare on the highway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg.

“Today, a citizen, if you look at our cars, has the opportunity to save up to 40% due to the use of an electronic transponder when traveling through collection points. 1350 rubles (on weekends 1494 rubles. - RT ) will cost the fare from Moscow to St. Petersburg along the entire highway for a car, ”he said.

Moreover, without devices for instant payment, the fare will be 1820 rubles on weekdays and 2020 rubles on weekends.

In turn, the special representative of the President of Russia on environmental protection, ecology and transport, Sergei Ivanov, during the meeting, recalled the famous phrase that “Russia has two troubles - fools and roads.”

“As you know, in Russia there are two troubles. So, this road shows that we have already learned how to deal with one of them, ”he said.

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At the end of the meeting, Putin instructed the Ministry of Transport and regional authorities to prepare proposals and submit to government awards those who participated in the construction of the M11.

M11 - an understudy of the federal highway M10 "Russia". Its construction began in 2014 and was divided into eight stages. The route passes through the territories of Moscow, Tver, Novgorod and Leningrad regions, bypassing all settlements. According to the Avtodor state-owned company, the high-speed highway Moscow - St. Petersburg is the largest federal investment road project in the modern history of Russia. The total construction cost amounted to 520 billion rubles.

There are 16 charging points on the highway, four multifunctional zones have been built, in which there are gas stations, cafes, shops and recreation areas. At the same time, six more multifunctional areas should be operational by the end of 2020. Safety and emergency assistance to motorists are monitored by 23 crews of emergency commissioners.