Public discussion is underway regarding the construction of the "Northwestern Bypass of Vitebsk" highway.
The need for a new highway has been discussed for a long time. Its creation will allow to remove transit traffic from the streets of Vitebsk, as well as redistribute intra-city traffic flows. As a result, the center of the northern capital should be unloaded, which will favorably affect the movement of public transport, increase the profitability of organizations, and improve the living conditions of the population. In addition, the level of atmospheric air, soil, and vegetation pollution in Vitebsk will decrease, which will positively
affect the ecological situation in the city.
Currently, a significant part of transit traffic is forced to follow through the capital of the Dvina region. Moreover, the route usually runs along the same streets that lead to the bridges over the Western Dvina and Lochesa rivers. However, their throughput is insufficient, so during peak hours, the speed of movement decreases to 20-30 km/h, and traffic jams occur in certain sections.
The construction of a full bypass of Vitebsk, similar to a ring road, can solve this problem. For this purpose, it is necessary to create a route around the regional center from the M-8/E-95 highway Russian Federation border (Yezeryshche) — Vitebsk — Gomel — Ukraine border (Novaya Huta) to the P-20 Vitebsk — Polotsk — Latvian Republic border (Grigorovshchina) highway. As a result, the number of traffic lanes will increase, and the number of conflict points will decrease, which will reduce the number of accidents and the severity of their consequences. The use of the latest construction technologies will ultimately increase the speed of movement and reduce the level of emissions from passing vehicles.
To ensure pedestrian safety, the project includes the construction of special pathways and an underground pedestrian crossing with external and internal lighting in Ruba, as well as bus stops separated from the main roadway, equipped with shelters.
Waste generated during construction will be temporarily stored in specially designated equipped areas. Subsequent transfer for use or disposal is planned. Resources that cannot be reused on-site will be sent for recycling.
To minimize the adverse impact of the planned activities on the atmospheric air, a number of environmental protection measures have been proposed. These include the creation of permanent production bases for the preparation of asphalt concrete mixtures, an increase in the number of road sections with unrestricted speed limits, and checks of internal combustion engine equipment and machinery for exhaust gas toxicity, among others.
To protect the residential buildings of the urban settlement of Ruba from the harmful effects of traffic noise, the project provides for the installation of noise barriers along the highway, which can reduce the noise level to permissible values. To prevent contamination of surface and groundwater with dust, asphalt concrete pavements that eliminate dust formation are planned. To prevent construction materials from entering water bodies due to erosion and washout by rain, they will be stored in specially prepared areas isolated by a surface drainage system. The project also includes measures to prevent soil contamination, changes in the hydrological regime, erosion control, and the conservation of rare animal and plant species.
You can learn more about the summary of the environmental impact assessment report for the construction of the "North-Western Bypass of Vitebsk" highway on the websites of our newspaper www.vitnews.by and RUP "Vitebskavtodor". Please send your comments and suggestions to the e-mail address vad.to@dor.mtk.by.
Liliya IVCHENKO. "Vitsiebski Rabochy".