The test mode of operation of the Central section of the Western High-Speed Diameter ends and a fee will be introduced on it from February 4, 2017. Moreover, at the same time, the payment collection scheme will be completely revised. The entire WHSD route is now divided into 5 tariff zones, each costing 60 rubles.
This is the base price when paying in cash or by credit card. Thus, the expected strong increase in the cost of travel along the WHSD has not happened since the new year and, contrary to expectations, travel along the entire route will cost 300 rubles (from the Scandinavia highway to the Ring Road in the south of the city). But for those who prefer to pay in cash or by card, the night rate is canceled. That is, the price of 60 rubles () per plot will be around the clock. Here is the official tariff zone diagram:
- Zone 1. Ring Road (South) - Blagodatnaya Street
- Zone 2. Blagodatnaya Street - Makarova Embankment (Vasilievsky Island)
- Zone 3. Makarova Embankment (Vasilievsky Island) - Future interchange with Shuvalovsky Prospekt
- Zone 4. Future interchange with Shuvalovsky Prospekt - Ring Road (North)
- Zone 5. Ring Road (North) – Highway E-18 “Scandinavia”
UPD: From May 15, 2017, to encourage drivers to use transponders, an increase to 100 rubles is introduced. fee when exiting Bogatyrsky Prospekt when paying in cash or by credit card.
UPD: From July 22, 2017 to 100 rubles. The cost of travel in any zone increases when paying in cash or by credit card. Traveling the entire WHSD route when paying in cash at each point will cost 500 rubles. The experiment at the exit to Bogatyrsky Prospekt was apparently considered successful; now the experience extends to the entire route and using cash has become as unprofitable as possible. The only surprising thing is why the developers of the tariff schedule go the other way - instead of increasing the discount on the transponder or making more flexible tariffs, they set protective tariffs when paying in cash.
When using a transponder, the savings will be 15% compared to paying in cash. In addition, thanks to the recently introduced Flow+ system, if the route is less than the tariff zone, the transponder owner will save not 15%, but even more, since the cost will be calculated based on the actual distance traveled. This is due to the fact that not all exits have toll booths, but all have devices for reading the transponder signal. This allows us to cut tariff zones even more finely for this category of highway users. Another significant advantage for transponder users is the preservation of the night tariff (50% discount applies from midnight to 6 am).
At the end of the review, a few photos of the WHSD and video:
I think many of my readers have heard about the Western High-Speed Diameter (WHSD). Those who live in St. Petersburg have definitely heard. For those who are not in the know, I’ll explain - the WHSD is a toll highway that finally connected the western parts of the city and the center. The uniqueness of the project is that a very significant part of it passes over water and as much as 55% of the entire length of the road is made up of artificial structures (overpasses, bridges, overpasses and tunnels). The structure is truly unique; no one has ever built roads of this scale in Russia.
The official opening of the WHSD took place over the weekend, and it was only on Tuesday that I managed to escape and ride along the new road.
2. It just so happens that I live in the southeast of the city, so the WHSD won’t be of much use to me.
The closest entrance to the highway to me is located on Blagodatnaya Street. It was to him that I headed.
3. Left - to the south of the city, right - to the north. The southern section was completely opened a couple of years ago, like the northern one, only the most difficult one remained - the central one.
4. Transponder strip. Just a week ago, the WHSD updated the tariffs and now using a transponder is not just profitable, but hellishly profitable - the difference on average is up to 3 times! I don’t have a transponder, so driving through 2 paid zones in cash cost me 100 rubles, and if I drove with a transponder, it would only cost 42.5 rubles. The transponder is free and the only condition for receiving it is an advance payment of 1000 rubles to the account. There is a tariff with a subscription fee (50 rubles per month) and without. For a tariff with a subscription fee, an additional 10% discount is provided.
5. Let's go! Signs are not yet ready for opening everywhere)
6. To the right is the exit towards Dvinskaya Street, and to the left is a newly opened area, where we are heading.
7. A small note - a couple of times I came across strange sections of the road about 200 meters long, where it was shaking. It seems that there is simply no top layer of asphalt there, but if so, this is extremely strange. Such a section is very clearly visible even visually, immediately after the exit.
8. 7 kilometers to Vasilievsky Island fly by in a flash, even if you drive 80 km/h in the right lane.
9. What landscapes! Wow, what views there are here, especially from above!
10. Pure aesthetic pleasure and the complete perception that you are not in St. Petersburg or Russia, but at least in New York!
11. This road lacks stopovers and observation points. It's a pity that this moment was not foreseen...
12. And here we are on Vaska! On the left you can see the alluvial areas and the residential complexes under construction "Ya-Romantic" and "Magellan"
13. There is only one tunnel in the central section, as well as only one interchange going to Vasilyevsky Island. I drove along it specifically and assessed the traffic pattern. In the form in which it exists now, it is very bad. The throughput flow is extremely small and this is immediately visible. Well, the second interchange in the area of the Shikpersky channel, God knows when they will open...
14. But the problems of Vasilievsky Island are just nonsense in comparison with the exit/entrance to Bogatyrsky Avenue. In the evening the traffic jam on the exit was 2 kilometers long and people stood in it for half an hour. The entire advantage of the WHSD was thus reduced to nothing... And if the traffic jam at the entrance is quite easy to bypass through the first gate, if you have a transponder, then at the exit you will stand like everyone else... Of course, the widespread use of transponders should significantly improve situation, but the fact that one congress to the Primorsky district is extremely insufficient is already obvious.
15. But what a gorgeous cable-stayed bridge they built across the Nevka - simply beautiful!
17. So, I got to Bogatyrsky Prospekt, drove off, turned around and drove back, drove to Vasilyevsky Island and walked there. This is the entrance to the WHSD from the Makarov embankment. Already now, a couple of days after the opening, the traffic is very, very solid. But this is the middle of the day!
18. Makarova embankment is still under construction, there are no pedestrian crossings, there are no sidewalks at times, so you have to cross the road in the wrong place, which the traffic policeman is vigilantly watching, but says nothing.
General view from the Makarov embankment to the WHSD and the construction of the stadium.
19. The Lakhta Center under construction is quite clearly visible.
20. Well, the “long-term construction of all Rus'” is almost completed.
21. And finally, I took a ride towards the Marine Station and took a couple of photos from there.
22. A little more Lakhta Center. It will be a most monumental building...
23. Perhaps we need to draw a couple of conclusions? The WHSD is incredibly cool and, overall, it should become a huge impact for the development of the city. For residents of the Primorsky district and Vasilievsky Island, this is generally just a breath of fresh air. But there are also disadvantages - immediately after the opening it became clear that something needs to be done with the exit system, especially in the Primorsky district, otherwise this collapse during rush hour will only intensify.
It is still unclear what will happen to the price in the future. The new tariff schedule is wonderful and very convenient for transponder owners, but what will happen when the central section goes out of test operation? Will prices rise significantly? So far there are no answers to these questions.
Well, in general, citizens of St. Petersburg, I congratulate you. The future is coming to us!)
The transport interchange in the northwestern regions of St. Petersburg is a large-scale structure and is called the Western High-Speed Diameter.
There is a charge for travel on the WHSD. The fare is determined by the section, travel time, and type of transport. Drivers for vehicles of categories B and C pay from 10 to 40 rubles, D and E - 30-130.
All money received from tolls is used to maintain this grandiose highway in proper technical condition.
In 1990, the project to create a transport interchange was included in a ten-year implementation plan, however, construction actually began only in 2005. When there was an urgent need to relieve the traffic collapse in the Northern capital.
The construction of the highway is carried out almost around the clock without stopping for a long period. Finished parts are put into operation immediately.
Upon completion of construction, the highway will connect the Moskovsky and Kirovsky districts with Vasilyevsky Island. The central part of the city will be decongested, and there will also have to be a reduction in traffic in the southern and northern areas of the city.
Features of the construction of the WHSD
Most of the diameter is man-made, created to preserve the integrity of the architecture and landscape through which it passes. To preserve green areas and facilities, the architects developed a project on overpasses.
Such a length of suspended structures and construction technology have never been erected in Russia, so the structure can be considered unique.
The WHSD will become a new attraction of the city, as it has already gained popularity among tourists. For example, the length of the central span of the cable-stayed bridge over the Ship Formator is more than three hundred meters.
The structure, located above the Petrovsky Formator, consists of a 220-meter structure, and an additional 400-meter-long two-tier bridge is being installed on the Sea Canal.
According to the general plan, the WHSD includes 3 sections:
- Northern;
- Southern;
- Central.
The length of the WHSD is 47 kilometers and more than half is occupied by bridges, tunnels and overpasses.
Southern section
At the end of 2008, the Southern section was opened, construction of which was completed in 2012.
The length from the beginning of the Ring Road to the Ekateringofka River is 8.5 kilometers, 2/3 of which are overpasses. The area has heavy freight traffic heading to the Big Seaport.
There are 4 interchanges for the sections:
- st. Blagodatnaya;
- st. Automotive;
- Ring Road area;
- River embankment.
Northern section
In 2013, the Northern section was opened on the WHSD. The event was attended by Russian President V.V. Putin. The length of the section is 26 kilometers.
The structure connects Primorsky Avenue and the E-18 Scandinavia highway, which is of international importance.
Central section
The diameter connects Vasilievsky Island with the Primorsky districts. The length of the section is 12 kilometers. This is the most difficult stage of work as it included the construction of 10 artificial objects.
In July 2017, the traffic management scheme for the exit to the Makarov embankment was changed. Entrance to the WHSD takes place on the street. Cash and Morskaya embankment, entry from Admiralteysky Proezd was closed. There were no changes at the exits from the WHSD.
Feasibility study of construction
The construction budget is more than 210 billion rubles.
Funds were raised in the following ratio:
- 40% private investors;
- 50% government;
- 10% bond issue.
A specially developed alloy for structures makes the highway elements durable.
The WHSD does not include at least 4 lanes. Maximum width 8 stripes. Car traffic 120,000 cars. Thus, with a minimum payment of 30 rubles, the revenue will be 3,600,000 rubles.
In the future, they plan to organize the movement of regular buses on the highway, equip stops, and install escalators and elevators for pedestrians next to them on the slopes.
Double-tier and spiral bridges, a tunnel laid under the river, are not only a beautiful sight, but also a functional connection between areas, ensuring the comfort of all residents and guests through the installation of noise barriers.
|
|
St. Petersburg (new construction)
Design, development of working documentation, construction control
Project period: 2004 - 2016
General designer: JSC Stroyproekt Institute
Customer: JSC "Western High-Speed Diameter"
The Western High Speed Diameter (WHSD) in St. Petersburg is one of the projects that gave a powerful impetus to the development of the Northern capital as a metropolis and one of the largest transport hubs in Europe. This modern multi-lane highway connected the South-Western part of the city with the Ring Road, Vasilyevsky Island, the Resort District and the Scandinavia Highway. The WHSD is the largest transport project in Russia, implemented within the framework of a public-private partnership, which determined the development of St. Petersburg as a major world-class transport hub.
The WHSD highway runs (from south to north) from the intersection of the Ring Road around St. Petersburg (Ring Road) with Dachny Prospekt - along the railway lines of the Baltic direction and the northern railway semi-circle - through the area of the Kirov plant to the Lesnoy port - along the waters of the Gulf of Finland and along the western tip of Vasilyevsky Island and the Petrograd side - along the territory of the Primorsky and Vyborg districts (crossing the ring road at the Hyundai automobile plant) and ends with a connection to the E-18 Scandinavia highway in the area of the village of Beloostrov (Kurortny district). The highway connects the Seaport with the most important federal highways. A large number of artificial structures as part of the route is due to the need to cross dense urban development, water bodies, including large sections of the Neva Bay.
The architectural and conceptual task when designing the WHSD was to find a single image, recognizable and different from many existing objects. This distinctive image of a modern transport facility should be visible along the entire length of the highway. Characteristic structures - arched lighting poles and curved noise barriers created a unified architectural style of the route, so the WHSD is perceived not just as a highway, but as a single engineering and architectural complex.
The Western High-Speed Diameter holds two records for one of the longest bridge structures in Russia:
1. The second longest in Russia is the southern overpass of the main passage with bridges across the Sea Canal and the Ship Fairway - 9378 meters.
2. Third place - the northern overpass of the main passage with bridges over the Petrovsky Canal and the Elagin Fairway - 8794 meters.
 |
Main characteristics:
|
Construction of the WHSD
Construction work on the WHSD began in the fall of 2005. On October 30, 2008, the first stage of the WHSD was launched. In May 2011, a toll was introduced on the open section of the WHSD (Phase I and part of Phase II to Blagodatnaya Street). On September 18, 2010, traffic was opened along the third stage section from the Hyundai automobile plant site to the Ring Road. On October 14, 2010, traffic was opened on the section of the second stage to Blagodatnaya Street. On December 29, 2011, traffic was (partially) opened at the traffic intersection at the intersection of the WHSD and the Ring Road in the area of the Hyundai automobile plant. On October 10, 2012, the second stage of the WHSD from Blagodatnaya Street was launched. to r. Ekateringofki. Thus, the entire southern section of the highway was put into operation. On August 2, 2013, the northern section of the highway was launched. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin. In 2013, construction began on the most complex Central section of the highway. On December 2, 2016, through traffic was opened along the central section of the WHSD. Resident of the Russian Federation V.V. took part in the ceremony. Putin.
Stage I – from the transport interchange with the Ring Road to the interchange with Leninsky Prospekt from Krasnoputilovskaya Street. The length is 5.7 km, including exits to the WHSD highway from the III and IV districts of the port as part of the first stage along the new highway at the Avtomobilnaya Street site. The length of artificial structures is 3.9 km.
Artificial structures of the first stage:
- 3 overpasses with a length of 1865 m, 511 m (in the opposite direction 548 m) and 267 m
- overpass across Leninsky Prospekt, length 272 m, layout (42+44+56+44+2×42) m, in the opposite direction length 229 m, layout (42+44+56+42) m
- overpass across Krasnoputilovskaya street, length 229 m, layout (63+78+48+38) m
- transport interchange with the Ring Road, Dachny Prospect and Predportovaya Street, consisting of seven exits with a total length of 2.38 km
- transport interchange with Leninsky Prospect and Krasnoputilovskaya Street, consisting of four ramps with a total length of 827 m.
- 3 overpasses over railway tracks with a total length of 122 m
- 3 overpasses with a length of 74 m, 179 m (in the opposite direction 59 m) and 103 m
- overpass for toll collection point 206 m long
- overpass across Narodnogo Opolcheniya Ave., length 130 m, layout 40+51+38 m.
Stage II – from the transport interchange with Krasnoputilovskaya street. to the junction with the embankment of the Ekateringofka River. The length is 5.2 km, the length of artificial structures is 4.3 km.
Artificial structures of the 2nd stage:
- 4 overpasses with lengths of 335 m, 942 m, 335 m and 1462 m
- bridge over the river Ekateringofka, length 155 m, layout (76.6+75.86) m, width 2×21.4 m, two-tier truss with orthotropic plate
- transport interchange with Blagodatnaya street. (4 exits)
- transport interchange in the river area Ekateringofki (2 exits 557 m and 231 m long).
On the overpasses of the 3rd and 4th sections of the 2nd stage (between Stachek Ave. and the Ekateringofka River) - due to the fact that the route runs along a narrow corridor in dense industrial conditions - the designers used unique two-tier trusses that ensure traffic in in one direction at the bottom, and in the other direction at the top (4 lanes in each direction). The trusses are located on a curve in a plan of variable radius with turns and transition sections, which is extremely rare in the practice of two-tier span structures. The maximum span length is 144 m.
Stage III – from the transport interchange with Bogatyrsky Ave. to the interchange at the junction with the E-18 “Scandinavia” highway. Length – 22.7 km, length of artificial structures – 2.3 km.
Stage III artificial structures:
- overpass across Shuvalovsky Prospekt with an overpass, length 1224 m, layout (51×26) m
- bridge over the canal, length 370 m, layout (39.5+6×48+42) m
- bridge over the river Kamenka, length 312 m, layout (12×26) m
- bridge over the river Black, length 162 m, pattern (33+39+45+44) m
- overpass over the Ring Road, length 234 m, layout (24x2+22+24x2+33x2+24x2) m
- bridge over the river Black, length 30 m
- overpass, length 30 m
- overpass, length 686 m, layout (45+63+54+45+2×46+9×42) m
- bridge over the river Sister, length 235 m, layout (48+2×69+48.5 m) m
- transport interchange with the Ring Road, consisting of 8 exits
- transport interchange at the junction with the E-18 Scandinavia highway, consisting of 4 exits.
Stage IV - from the transport interchange from the embankment of the Ekateringofka River to the street. Skipper channel. Length – 5.7 km, length of artificial structures – 5.2 km.
Artificial structures of the IV stage:
- overpass to the bridge over the Sea Canal, length 836.8 m, layout: (2x75+65.7)+(74.7+90+73.8)+(42.31+51+41.7)+(71 .7+84+81.9) m
- bridge over the Sea Canal, length 1020 m, two-tier truss, width 20.4 m, layout: (144+120)+(156+168+144)+(144+144) m
- bridge along the contour of Bely Island, length 973m, layout (63.8+63.8)+2x(63.8+63+63+63.8)+(84.8+84+84+84.8) m; width from 38.5 to 42 m
- bridge at the mouth of the Bolshaya Neva on the approach to the cable-stayed bridge across the Korabelny fairway (left along the picketage) length 672.8 m, width from 39 to 40 m, layout: (84.8+84+84.8)+(85+105 +125.6+103.5) m
- bridge across the Korabelny fairway, length 622.4 m, width 38.6 m, layout: (150+320+150) m
- bridge at the mouth of the Bolshaya Neva River on the approach to the cable-stayed bridge across the Korabelny fairway (right along the picketage), length 1211 m, width 36 - 38 m, layout: (102+126+102+2x84)+(5x84+3x63)+( 4x24) m
- two overpasses at the exits of the transport interchange in the area of the river. Ekateringofka, length 118.8 m and 896 m.
Stage V – from the street. Shkipersky Protok to the transport interchange with Bogatyrsky Ave.
Length – 8.4 km, length of artificial structures – 5.9 km.
Artificial structures of the 5th stage:
- tunnel under the river Smolenka, length 403 m, width 32 m
- overpass on the approach to the bridge over the Petrovsky Canal, length 533 m
- bridge over the Petrovsky Canal, length 580 m, layout (60+110+240+110+60) m
- bridge across the mouth of the Middle Nevka and Bolshaya Nevka, length 1709 m, layout (2×75+84+5×105+85+87+2×126+2×106+2×105+106) m, width 41 m
- overpass on the approach to the bridge across the mouth of the Middle Nevka and Bolshaya Nevka, length 441 m
- overpass across Primorsky Ave., length 253 m, layout 43+3×45+2×43+3×45+43) m, width 41 m
- overpass with an overpass on Primorskoye Highway across the railway tracks, st. School, Furniture, Design and Opticians, length 1363 m
- overpass across Sitsevaya street, length 31 m, width 32 m
- overpass across Bogatyrsky Ave., length 105 m, layout (2×51) m, width 30 m
- transport interchange with embankment Makarova. Alluvial territories of Vasilyevsky Island
- transport interchange with Primorsky Ave.
- transport interchange with Bogatyrsky Ave.
JavaScript is disabled in your browser
The WHSD is an innovative route in a variety of ways. This is the first expressway connecting the southern and northern outskirts of St. Petersburg with its central regions, as well as the first toll road in the Northern capital.
As part of the WHSD, unique bridge structures for Russia were designed for the central section of the WHSD, which became an integral part of the sea facade of St. Petersburg:
– a two-tier bridge at the intersection with the main shipping fairway of the city – the Sea Canal (bridge length 734 m, central span length 168 m, under-bridge height clearance 52 m);
– cable-stayed bridge over the Korabelny fairway (bridge length 620 m, central span length 320 m, under-bridge height clearance 35 m);
– cable-stayed bridge over the Petrovsky fairway (bridge length 580 m, central span length 220 m, under-bridge height clearance 25 m).
A significant part of the WHSD route runs along a narrow corridor in dense industrial buildings. On the section of the second stage between Stachek Ave. and the river. In Ekateringofka, the shortage of free space was felt especially acutely. In this regard, the designers in this section, as well as in part of the IV phase, used two-tier trusses, ensuring traffic in one direction at the bottom, and in the other at the top (4 lanes in each direction). The trusses are located on a curved plan, with a variable radius, with turns and transition sections, which is extremely rare in the practice of two-tier span structures. The maximum span length is 144 m.
The WHSD project also includes other, smaller, but interesting solutions. For example, the toll collection point at the exit to Avtomobilnaya Street (as part of the first stage), built in two tiers due to extremely cramped conditions. Installation of an anti-filtration curtain for the roadbed in a excavation on Vasilyevsky Island.
“Wall in the ground” is an effective technical solution for installing an impervious curtain, which is more economically feasible than using sheet piling or secant piles. The solution was successfully implemented during the construction of the central section of the WHSD
 |
08.04.2019
The Russian competition “Aluminum in Architecture 2019” was held as part of the international forum “Aluminum in Architecture and Construction 2019” (AlumForum). The competition participants were welcomed by the Chairman of the Union of Architects of Russia N. Shumakov, Co-Chairman of the Aluminum Association I. Kazovskaya, Director for the Development of Aluminum Consumption in Russia and CIS Countries of the RUSAL Company Yu. Shivilov and the Chairman of the Competition Jury - founder of the architectural bureau "Giencke & Company Architects" F. Ginke (Austria). |
The long-standing need to create a transport connection between the north-western and its central parts was embodied in the large-scale construction of an intra-city toll highway called the Western High-Speed Diameter.
How it all began
The history of the development of the project began back in 1990, when the USSR government, in its next decree on the prospects for state construction, included it in the plan for the coming decade. For many years, the leaders of the now Russian state have not ignored the issue of improving and developing the transport infrastructure of the Northern capital.
Construction work began in 2005. The construction of the highway is ongoing, with the finished sections of the route gradually put into operation.
Meaning of expressway
The result of many years of work will be a high-speed highway connecting the southern part of the city (Moskovsky and Kirovsky districts) with Vasilievsky Island and the Primorsky district. The new road will remove the main traffic load from the central part of St. Petersburg, as well as in the southern and northern parts of the city.
In accordance with the master plan, the Western High-Speed Diameter of St. Petersburg consists of three sections: Northern, Southern and Central. The total length of the transport system reaches forty-seven kilometers. Almost half of this length is occupied by bridge structures, overpasses and tunnels.
Uniqueness of construction projects
The presence of a large number was dictated by the characteristics of the industrial infrastructure and landscape area in the area of the highway. In order not to violate the integrity of previously constructed facilities, as well as to demonstrate respect for the green area, the project architects decided to build a significant part of the route on overpasses.
Nothing like this has ever been built in Russia. The Western High-Speed Diameter has become a leader in the field of innovative construction. St. Petersburg can rightfully be proud of its modern facilities, which will certainly become new attractions of the Northern capital.
Some of the buildings can be considered unique. This will be the cable-stayed bridge under which the Ship Fairway passes. The length of the central span of the mentioned structure is more than three hundred meters. Another bridge crossing the Petrovsky fairway has a main span of two hundred and twenty meters long. At the intersection of the Sea Canal, work is underway to construct a four-hundred-meter bridge structure with two tiers.
Effective diameter sections
The first fragment of the Southern section was inaugurated in October 2008. It became fully operational four years later. The southern section originates from and connects to the transport interchange on the embankment of the Ekateringofka River.
The length of the Southern Highway is eight and a half kilometers. Almost two-thirds of the route is occupied by overpasses and bridges. This is the most critical segment of the diameter, supporting the traffic intensity of the continuous flow of large-sized transport in the direction of the Big Seaport.
The Western High-Speed Diameter was continued with the opening of working traffic on the Northern section in August 2013. The President of Russia was present at the ceremony. The length of the new route was over twenty-six kilometers - this is more than half of the total length occupied by the Western High-Speed Diameter. The traffic pattern runs from Primorsky Prospekt to the international highway E-18 called “Scandinavia”.
Central section of the route
As for the Central section, intensive work is currently underway on its construction. The Western High-Speed Diameter on Vasilyevsky Island will be laid along the border of the entire territory, connecting it with the Admiralteysky and Primorsky districts of St. Petersburg. The total length of the route is about twelve kilometers. This is the most technically difficult part of the project, since the construction of ten artificial structures is planned here. According to preliminary calculations, the launch of the Central Line is expected by the beginning of 2016.
Economic and technical indicators of the project
The Western High Speed Diameter represents the largest European partnership between public and private investors. As a result of the merger of cash flows, a budget was formed that exceeded two hundred and ten billion rubles. Half of them are budget funds, forty percent are money from private investors. The remaining ten percent was raised through the issue of government bonds.
Various sections of the highway will have four to eight lanes. The permitted speed limit for motor vehicles on the highway is 110 kilometers per hour. Once all sections of the route are put into operation, the expected throughput will be at least one hundred thousand vehicles.
Current fares
The Western High-Speed Diameter is a toll highway, the funds from which will be used to maintain the grandiose structure in appropriate technical condition.
The existing sections of the diameter are divided into several tariff zones, in which the cost of travel depends on the type of vehicle and time of day. For passenger cars and small trucks, the price ranges from ten to forty rubles. Owners of heavy trucks must pay from thirty to one hundred and thirty rubles.
Forms of payment
For the convenience of using the passage, motorists are offered several forms of payment. Those who rarely travel along the WHSD can buy a ticket in cash or pay with a bank card.
Another payment option is to use contactless smart cards, which can be borrowed from the operator servicing the track. BSCs can be anonymous or personalized. Registration of the latter provides the user with a ten percent discount. It is enough to regularly top up your account on the card, and movement along the road will occur almost unhindered.
When regular freight transportation is carried out through the Western High-Speed Diameter, the transponder becomes the most acceptable payment method. A special electronic device is attached to the windshield of the vehicle and guarantees instant payment when entering the highway. Transponders can be rented from the expressway operator. Constant use of an electronic means of payment provides preferential travel with a discount of up to twenty percent.
The active route is designed to help make St. Petersburg the largest transport hub in Europe. After the entire line of the Western Diameter Expressway is fully operational, it can be safely nominated as a contender for the official title of a wonder of the world of the twenty-first century.
