Rail link to Murmansk resumed
Train traffic to Murmansk in Russia has restarted after an interruption caused by the collapse of the only railway bridge across Kola River almost four weeks ago. The new 5.7 km long bypass was built in 18 days. More than 250 machines and more than 1,000 workers were involved in the work. The bypass is a temporary structure and will be in operation until the new bridge is completed next autumn.
On 1 June, the foundations of the bridge were washed away by rapidly melting snow and strong flows of water. The accident triggered tremendous problems for traffic and transport companies and initiated a state of emergency.
The bridge is the only rail link between the Arctic port in Murmansk and the rest of Russia and therefore essential for the supply of goods to industrial companies. (ben)