UPDATE: Putin opens automobile section of Crimean bridge

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KERCH, Crimea, May 15 (PRIME) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday opened an automobile section of the 6.9 billion ruble, 19-kilometer bridge across the Kerch Strait that connects the Krasnodar Region with Crimea.

Car traffic on the bridge will be launched on Wednesday.

Putin said he hoped that the second and third sections of the bridge will be built on time and with proper quality.

“The launch of the cargo route is ahead – I do not doubt that it will be done in the autumn, and (launch) of the railroad – in a year… I’m sure that the second and the third part – I’m speaking about the railroad – will be launched on time and with that quality that constructors have demonstrated so far,” Putin said after crossing the bridge driving a Kamaz truck.

(61.7684 rubles – U.S. $1)

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