Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Belous: Gagarin Street in Vitebsk is planned to be reconstructed within a year
The improvement of Gagarina Street began in 2005. Two years later, two phases of the renovated street were put into operation, but a part of the road remained in its previous state. The length of the street is 5 km, and 3 km remain to be improved. "It is impossible to completely close traffic on Gagarina Street, although it would be easier for the builders. In the future, there will be six lanes for traffic, but trams will no longer return to it. There will be paths for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides. The builders intend to fit within the street's dimensions so that nothing has to be demolished," noted Vladimir Belous.
According to the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, there are not enough funds for all the work yet (there are about Br24 million, the remaining funds will be sought from the budget in the current and next years).
Today, tram traffic on Gagarina Street has been stopped, workers are dismantling rails and overhead lines, and preparing the site for upcoming work. Additional bus and trolleybus routes have been introduced for this period.
Recently, the reconstruction of the "Polotsk" overpass was completed in Vitebsk, which cost less than planned. As a result, it was possible to save about Br24 million. The remaining funds have been decided to be directed towards the improvement of Gagarin Street. The preliminary cost of the reconstruction will be Br39 million.