Authorities in the Moscow region are planning to reconstruct several rail crossings in 2016 to prevent traffic jams and will charge drivers 30-80 rubles ($0.4-$1) for passing through them, the Kommersant newspaper reported, citing the region's governor Andrei Vorobyov.
Vorobyov gave an interview to the television channel Rossia 1 and said that there were 12 rail crossings subject to renovation funded by private investors. “If everything goes well, in 2016 we will carry out tenders and start construction,” he said.
Rail crossings with automatic barriers are the number one cause for traffic problems in the region, Kommersant reported. In 2013 the governor launched a “Free Crossing” program, in which 17 overpasses would be built to replace rail crossings. Four are already constructed and functioning, the report said.
The only paid overpass is located in the Ryazan region — drivers are charged 15-30 rubles ($0.2-$0.4) depending on the size of their vehicle.
