The construction of a railway bridge to Sakhalin is an important strategic task for Russia, but far from paramount - says the head of the department of state regulation of the RANEPA Vladimir Klimanov.
The decision to build the Sakhalin bridge will not be easy
The thing is, that Oleg Belozerov, General Director of Russian Railways, said, that the railway bridge across Sakhalin can be included in the development program of this state corporation, moreover, the project of the Selekhin-Nysh route through the Nevelskoy Strait will be ready by the end of November 2019 of the year.
This fact indicates that, that they seriously thought about this project in Russia, which is not surprising, since the railway part of the Crimean bridge will be put into operation very soon, which means, that huge infrastructure opportunities will be released.
We've been thinking about this bridge for a long time., moreover, modern technological capabilities make it possible to implement this project, but its cost will still be significant, whereupon, here you can not count on the standard commercial payback. Before us is a classic project to develop infrastructure in Russia and create normal logistical conditions for distant Russian regions.
After all, there are big problems with this in the Sakhalin Region, that limit the development of this region, therefore the Sakhalin bridge is needed, but still, the investment here will be colossal, and if this project is given priority status, then it can cost.
"It seems to me, that ambitious infrastructure projects should exist in Russia, therefore, the issue of their economic efficiency must be considered on the basis of geopolitical interests, beyond the current planning period", – concludes Klimanov.
Otherwise, as noted by the expert, we would not have any Trans-Siberian Railway, nor other important infrastructure facilities and bridges, and we would always be within some short-term planning horizon. A striking example here is the Crimean bridge., which is still in 2014 many called it an impossible project, and today there is already a motor transport.
"Hence I think, that such projects should arise, should be worked out, but the final decision, build them or not, needs to be done through broad discussion, including, and within the framework of discussions of various experts, representing different points of view. And what about the Sakhalin bridge, there is clearly no single point of view here., – states Klimanov.
It is because, that payback in terms of short-term effects is low, and we cannot fully assess the long-term effects.
“To stop in making such a decision should be the priority of other projects. for example, construction of a bridge across the Lena River near Yakutsk, which has been repeatedly postponed and postponed due to certain economic circumstances", – summarizes Klimanov.
In particular, one of the reasons was the strategic task of building the Crimean bridge. Don't forget the discussion, where to pull a high-speed line from Moscow - to St. Petersburg or Kazan, although now they are leaning towards the construction of a single section.
“There are other priority projects, whose implementation seems possible in the very near future. On the other hand, bridge to Sakhalin in the long run may well be, especially, the cost of such technologies is constantly being reduced”, – concludes Klimanov.
Klimanov draws attention to the active bridge building in China and other countries of Southeast Asia, so it's likely, that a bridge to Sakhalin could be built, let's, across 10 years, and in a cheaper way, what could it be today.
“I would not completely deny the possibility of starting the implementation of such an undertaking, but this project is not a priority even within the framework of the construction of similar infrastructure facilities in our country.”, – states Klimanov.
Investments in transport infrastructure will have a multiplier effect
Actually, There are two strategic goals in common here - firstly, the need to connect remote Russian regions with the central part of our country, a, Secondly, remember the Chinese experience, Where 1 percentage of GDP, invested in transport infrastructure, gives the output 2 percent, although, of course, we have completely different specifics of the economy.
"I am convinced, that transport construction is one of the main economic drivers along with education and healthcare, which also belong to the main productive branches of the national economy", – summarizes Klimanov.
According to Vladimir Viktorovich, infrastructure development determines, how significant multiplier effects will be in the economy, but it is obvious, that the effect of the Sakhalin bridge will be less, than the construction of a similar facility in a populated area.
“A prime example is the road bridge from Hong Kong to Macau, with even greater length, but it takes place in a place with a different population density and with a fundamentally different economic activity, so its effect is much higher", – concludes Klimanov.
It's hard to compare here., but Russia needs the Sakhalin Bridge and in the future will give impetus to the development of the regional economy.
Dmitry Sikorski
