Nikolay Matyuk, the General Director of Minskavtodor-Tsentr (overseeing the construction), explains that traffic between Grodno and Vitebsk can now avoid the capital. He tells us, “The new road is toll free, and no payment has ever been discussed. According to our calculations, 3,000-4,000 cars tend to take the route daily but the figure is likely to double.”
At present, the speed limit on the second ring road is 70km/h, but should rise to 120km/h at some later date. Being made of concrete, the road cannot be salted in its first year, causing a potential hazard in winter. In fact, 3km of the new section uses ‘washed concrete’ (the surface resembles sand paper), increasing tyre grip and drainage, to avoid ice coverage.
Meanwhile, construction continues, with preparation and earthworks in full swing along the next section, due to connect Grodno’s М6 with the M1/Е30 Brest-Moscow road.
By Dmitry Dorokhov
