Western High Speed Diameter: Time to look for feasible alternatives - EBRD AGM Issue Paper

While St. Petersburgs road maintenance budget as a reaction to the economic crisis has been cut by 75%, federal and city officials are determined to realise the Western High Speed Diameter (WHSD), despite more than quadruplet production costs since 2006. But apart from the unjustified routing of the diameter through residential and important natural areas, it is also still unclear whether there are cheaper and more effective alternatives.

The expected high costs for the citys taxpayers coupled with the entire lack of transparency during the planning and decision making process should alarm the EBRD and other IFIs who have shown interest in the project.