Remote Russian island benefiting from new road

A remote Russian island is to benefit from a new road connection.
By MJ Woof June 26, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
The Russian Government is building a new road on Iturup Island as part of a programme of works to develop its infrastructure – image © courtesy of Mohamed Osama, Dreamstime.com

The remote Russian-controlled Iturup Island is to benefit from a new road connection. This 60km road will run between the island’s biggest town, Kurilsk, and Burevestnik Airport.

Around 3.4km of the road will be surfaced while 2.7km will feature a gravel road construction. The remainder of the road will however be unpaved.

Building the road forms part of a programme of works by the Russian Government to develop infrastructure on the island in a bid to lift its economy. The road is expected to be complete by 2024.

Tourism is a sector expected to benefit from the improved link as the remote island is home to many rare species and of interest to wildlife enthusiasts. The road will also be of benefit to the Russian military forces on the island, which has an airbase.

At present the island’s roads are in poor condition and largely unsurfaced. As a result, drivers often use the beaches along the coast to make journeys.

Iturup Island was previously named Staten Island and is one of the Southern Kurils, the ownership of which is disputed between Russia and Japan. The volcanic island is primarily a nature reserve but is also the world’s primary source of the element rhenium, used as a catalyst and also in gas turbine engine components.
 

Road Structures

Related Content

  • Mega city transport in Mexico
    June 13, 2012
    Rapid urban growth is resulting in massive mega cities with major transport needs and Mexico City is one of the world’s largest – Mike Woof reports Mexico City is a vast, sprawling metropolis and one of the world’s largest cities, resulting in huge problems for its inhabitants, particularly with regard to infrastructure. Measuring population size is an inexact science for large cities as suburban areas can add to the figures considerably, especially in developing nations where unplanned expansion is as comm
    Read More
  • Kosovo's award-winning green highway construction
    March 20, 2012
    A new highway is proving an economic lifeline for the tiny country of Kosovo – Mike Woof reports. Road projects in Europe rarely meet such widespread public approval and support as the new Route 7 highway being built in the new Balkan state of Kosovo. The first sections of the new road opened to traffic in November 2011, with locals turning out in large numbers to celebrate the event. The official opening was carried out by the country’s prime minister Hashim Thaçi, president Atifete Jahjaga, and members of
    Read More
  • Khabarovsk Bypass to raise transit potential of Russian Far East
    March 13, 2017
    Khabarovsk Bypass to raise transit potential of Russian Far East – Eugene Gerden writes The Russian Government, together with the government of Khabarovsk Territory, an administrative capital of the Far East, have announced the completion of preparations for the building of a new road. The Khabarovsk Territory is located 30km from the Chinese border, at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri Rivers. This new highway will boost the transport potential for the Russian Far East and will improve the traffic s
    Read More
  • Reunion road project; agreement reached
    August 13, 2020
    An agreement has been reached for the massive Reunion coastal road project.
    Read More

Highlighted Content