Crimean bridge traffic launch "historic day" - Putin
CRIMEAN BRIDGE. May 15 (Interfax) - The opening of traffic over the Crimean Bridge across the Kerch Strait is a historic day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"I sincerely congratulate you on this remarkable, festive, historic day in the full sense of this word," Putin said at the opening ceremony on the bridge on Tuesday.
"Historical because at various times in history, even under tsar, people were dreaming of building this bridge," he said.
The idea was revisited in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, he said.
"And now, finally, thanks to your hard work, your talent, this project, this miracle happened. A big thank you," Putin told the project's organizers and builders.
He thanked the organizers who "without any exaggeration put the state's, national interests above those of groups and individuals," Putin said.
He also thanked demining experts, who worked before the bridge started being built, environmental experts, archeologists, scientists, designers, engineers and workers.
"Over 10,000 people are working on this construction, over 15,000 people at the peak, and nearly 220 subcontractors. Basically the whole country has been working on this installation," Putin said.