Putin Drives New Lada Car on Completed Tver Northern Bypass

In a symbolic gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin took the wheel of a new Lada Aura sedan on Tuesday to drive on the recently completed Tver Northern Bypass, a toll road connecting Moscow and St Petersburg. The event marked the completion of the final segment of the M11-Neva highway.

Putin praised the constructors who finished the project a year ahead of schedule, saying, "I’d also note that the specialists of (Ros)avtodor got actively involved in the restoration of transport infrastructure of Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. I have no doubts that you will cope with all the tasks in these regions and across Russia perfectly."

The new bypass is expected to reduce travel time between Moscow and St Petersburg by one hour, making it a significant improvement for commuters. The toll road is approximately 437.52 miles (704.13 km) long and costs around 40 US dollars for a passenger car, while the cheapest train ticket for the same route costs around 20 US dollars.

The completion of the bypass is seen as a major infrastructure achievement in Russia, particularly in light of the ongoing sanctions that have significantly reduced the import of Western branded cars into the country. Mass production of the Lada Aura sedan is set to start this fall, amidst efforts to promote local automotive industries.

The event highlights the importance of infrastructure development in Russia, as well as the government’s efforts to support domestic industries. With the completion of the Tver Northern Bypass, commuters can expect faster and more efficient travel between Moscow and St Petersburg, paving the way for economic growth and development in the region.