RUSSIA: Plans are being developed for a major modernisation of the Rostrov-na-Donu tram network and the construction of extensions to new residential districts as part of a transport strategy for 2035 which has been adopted by the city council.
The programme would be implemented through a PPP concession, and a co-operation agreement has been signed by the regional government and the Sinara-GTR joint venture of STM Holding and Regional Concession Companies.
The overall cost is estimated at 51·2bn roubles, including infrastructure, rolling stock and operating costs. This would be funded through a capital grant financed from an investment bank loan, a soft loan provided by state development corporation VEB.RF and the National Welfare Fund, as well as local sources.
Since 1990 the formerly extensive tram network has been reduced to a 27 km network comprising a central loop and five branches. Reconstructing the existing lines to modern standards and expanding the network to 58 km is proposed under the strategy, which was drawn up by consultancy Simetra.
There would be two main corridors, running east-west to connect the Veresaevo and Leventsovsky districts, and north-south to link high rise developments with the left bank of the River Don.
