The issue of building a bridge to Sakhalin was returned at the highest level

In Russia they know how to build bridges. Geography taught me this. To overcome thousands of rivers, lakes, swamps and bays, grandiose infrastructure structures were built at different times. But there are still areas that are not directly connected to the main transport routes. One of these places is Sakhalin Island.


Despite its remoteness, Sakhalin is inhabited by over 445 thousand people. They extract oil, gas, coal, wood, and fisheries. The island occupies an important place in the economy of the Far East. The problem of transport connectivity between the region and the mainland of the country has always been present. This question remains relevant today.

They first started talking about building an embankment on the island back in the 1920th century, but then no one attached much importance to the initiatives. In the 1950s, the first bridge construction projects began to be developed. But it quickly became clear that the program was very expensive and unrealizable. In the 1955s, they presented a detailed plan for the construction of an underwater tunnel that could connect the two banks. According to the plan, the facility was supposed to be completed in XNUMX. However, political events prevented this. As a result, the project was closed.


In the late 90s, the Ministry of Railways again raised the issue of building a bridge. From the early 2000s to the present day, the government and large companies have repeatedly discussed the prospects of this project. The volumes of cargo transported, terms and even costs were mentioned, but it never came to practical implementation.

Where should the bridge be?

The most likely location for construction is the Nevelskoy Strait in the northern part of the island. Its width is 7,4 km at its narrowest point.


In addition, it is necessary to extend supply infrastructure to the shores - highways and railways. The estimated length of the bridge itself is 4 km. The remaining distance should be filled by coastal embankments - approximately 1,2 km from the mainland and 2,5 km from Sakhalin.

Why are they delaying construction?

According to the most conservative estimates, the cost of infrastructure could be 600 billion rubles, which is about 3 times more than what was spent on the Crimean Bridge. Russian Railways said that they were ready to allocate only 3,5 billion for the project. The rest should be provided by private investors or the state.

The payback period for such a project is 20-30 years. Which is also a deterrent for potential investors.

Difficult terrain for the construction of supply infrastructure, seismic activity and strong currents are also a big problem. Yes, modern technologies make it possible to build in any conditions, but this requires serious skills of engineers and designers.

Project Perspectives

Recently, Putin addressed the issue of connectivity between Sakhalin and the mainland of the country. The President and the Governor of the Sakhalin Region discussed the prospects for building the bridge. The implementation of this facility will give impetus to the development of the entire Far East and will open up new business opportunities.


It is assumed that the construction of the bridge will take place under a concession agreement. That is, it will have an owner who is interested in the speedy implementation of the project and quick payback. They don’t say this out loud, but it is possible that there will be a toll to travel across the bridge. But the construction of supply infrastructure will most likely fall on the shoulders of the budget and development funds.

Of course, the biggest beneficiaries will be local residents, who will not depend on maritime navigation schedules and weather. Logistics companies will receive a new highway. Cargo delivery will be simplified, which will significantly affect the prices of consumer goods. In the future, the project will also help the development of international trade. Not long ago there was talk about the possibility of building a bridge across the La Perouse Strait to Japan. But that's a completely different story.

Let's hope that the residents of Sakhalin will still receive a bridge in the near future.