Russia unveils plan to build world’s longest highway

Posted on Mar 27 2015 - 3:48pm by IBC News Bureau

Russia has reportedly announced its plan to build the world’s longest road that would connect the U.K. and the U.S., making its way across the length of Russia.

The head of the Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin, disclosed the plan at a meeting of the Russian Academy of Science. The Trans-Eurasian belt Development (TEPR) is expected to link the Pacific with the Atlantic, spanning over a length of 20,000km, News.com.au reported.

The super highway would cover the entire length of Russia and include major roads, a new train network, pipelines for oil and gas and the laying of facilities for electricity and water supplies.

The plan, which would call for trillions of dollars, if successful, could create 10 to 15 new industries, new cities, new jobs and aid development of Siberia and the Far East.

Vladimir Fortov, the Head of the Russian Academy of Science said that, the project was “very ambitious and expensive” and that it would solve many problems in the development of the huge landmass.

Fortov added that the idea was based on a new technology of high-speed rail transport, with which they could build a new railway near the Trans-Siberian Railway and travel to Chukotka, Bering Strait and then to the American continent.