Belarusian Highway Fares May Rise

Many Russians are acquainted with the quality of Belarusian roads. In recent years, thanks to considerable efforts applied first of all by the government, the road network has been developed with increased speed. Having modernized the highway Brest-Moscow, it is now the turn of other directions. There is no doubt that Belarusian highways are far from German autobahns, there are, so to say, growth prospects. Yet, the development is obvious to everyone who is travelling around Belarus.

Many Russians are acquainted with the quality of Belarusian roads. In recent years, thanks to considerable efforts applied first of all by the government, the road network has been developed with increased speed. Having modernized the highway Brest-Moscow, it is now the turn of other directions. There is no doubt that Belarusian highways are far from German autobahns, there are, so to say, growth prospects. Yet, the development is obvious to everyone who is travelling around Belarus.

At the same time, the means assigned for highway engineering are clearly insufficient. That is why Belarusian experts come up forward with suggestions to increase the number of toll highways. As was reported by Vladimir Mardilovich, Head of the Road Network Development Department of “Belavtodor” agency, the issue of collecting road toll at some sections of main through roads is under consideration. Total length of such sections will make up about 2.5-3 thousand km. “Among them, for instance, may be the sections of Polotsk-Vitebsk highway and some further Russian sections,” informed the expert.

“Belavtodor” has finished the execution of technical and economic assessment (TEA) of this probable innovation. In the nearest future it will be sent for consideration of the government. TEA specifies probable introduction of the road toll as well as its collection mechanism. “Such mechanisms are valid in Germany and Czech Republic, but the methods of toll collection are different,” said Vladimir Mardilovich. “We will take a long hard look at them”.

The initiative of road builders should be welcomed as the roads rated as toll will become quality and high-speed ones, while the money collected will be directed for further modernization of Belarusian highways.