Work on bridge linking Russia to China to launch in summerApril 9, 2016 - 16:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The construction of a bridge across the Amur River, which will connect the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk with China’s Heihe, will begin in the summer. It will be built from both banks simultaneously, RT reports. The project will be based on the principle of territoriality: Russia will build the bridge from Blagoveshchensk, while the Chinese will do it from Heihe. The connection will be made by Russian companies. "We and our Chinese colleagues are ready to discuss all the remaining issues so that we could prepare concession and loan agreements by May or June," Amur region spokeswoman Marina Dedyushko told TASS. The bridge is expected to cost $280 million at the current exchange rate. The regional authorities plan to finish the work within three years and open the bridge in 2019. The first stage is to build a road bridge across the Amur River and next a railway bridge. When the construction is finished, the Russian side of the bridge will become the property of the Amur region; the Chinese side will be owned by Heilongjiang Province. The bridge is expected to reduce transport costs for business, stimulate the development of joint investment projects and help exports and imports in the neighboring regions to get to the destination point faster. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |