Immediately following the bridge inauguration ceremony, our correspondent in Crimea Olga Armyakova had a chance to speak with President Vladimir Putin. He approached her and here's what he had to say:
Vladimir Putin: This is one of our nation's largest projects. Most gratifyingly, the builders just proudly told me, that all the technology used is exclusively Russian-made. As I just said, almost 220 companies were involved, from the very beginning through completion. The launch of a freight roadway is yet to come, I have no doubt that it will happen this autumn, and a railway will open a year after that. 14 million people can now cross the bridge annually, and more than 13 million tons of freight can be moved. This is a huge infrastructure construction project that is very important for the development not only of Crimea and Sevastopol but also of all Southern Russia. So not only for myself but also for the whole nation, this is a very important and promising project. I am confident that the second and third stages, I mean the railway, will be completed according to schedule and to the high-quality standards the builders have demonstrated to date.
- You literally sped across the bridge. How's the tarmac? Smooth enough? Is everything comfortable?
- Comfortable and swell. I hope it's durable too. This is a very good and modern asphalt-concrete mix. I think people will like it. Thank you.
- Thank you very much.
