RZD expecting implementation of all HSR projects by 2040

MOSCOW. March 13 (Interfax) - JSC Russian Railways (RZD) expects to realize all high-speed rail (HSR) construction projects by 2040, RZD chief Oleg Belozerov said while answering questions during government hour in the State Duma on Wednesday.

He recalled that the first HSR line from Moscow to St. Petersburg should be built within 5 years. The remaining directions are Moscow-Adler, Moscow-Yekaterinburg and Moscow-Minsk.

"The first direction [Moscow-St. Petersburg] is already practically in process, as design work has been carried out. We are practically starting implementation, to construction, that is," Belozerov said.

A working group has been created on the direction from Moscow to Minsk, he recalled.

"We plan that in general high-speed traffic will begin in 5 years with the launch [of the Moscow-Peterburg section], but within the next 10-15 years we will need to implement almost all these projects," Belozerov said.