More than Br3.7 billion has been allocated for the creation of a barrier-free environment in the Vitebsk region over four years.

March 31, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. Over Br3.7 billion has been allocated for the creation of a barrier-free environment in the Vitebsk region over four years, the Committee for Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee informed BELTA. In the cities and towns of the region, the street and road network and pedestrian crossings are being reconstructed in stages, with a set of measures being implemented to create a barrier-free environment. Capital and current repairs of improved road surfaces, exits, and driveways totaling 2.5 thousand sq.m. have been completed. Synchronous sound signals have been installed at 40 traffic light facilities in the region, and over 100 speed bumps have been installed on the roadway. 159 units of low-floor transport, including 110 buses, 48 trolleybuses, and trams, have been purchased using the regional transport tax and the local budget. Barrier-free access for physically weak individuals has been created at 22 bus stations and 35 railway stations in the region. A mobile lift has been acquired for transporting wheelchair users onto train cars at the Vitebsk railway station. 950 facilities in the healthcare, culture, social services, consumer cooperation, household services, and other sectors have been equipped with barrier-free elements. Housing and communal services enterprises have installed 523 handrails and over 300 removable and permanent ramps and slopes. Courtyards of residential buildings have been reconstructed with the arrangement of pedestrian paths, recreation areas, and street and road networks at 46 facilities. In total, during the program implementation, about 2,000 facilities, or 53% of social infrastructure facilities, have been equipped with barrier-free elements. The most active work in this area was carried out in the Chashniki district and Novopolotsk. Among the sectors, the work was most active in housing and communal services, banking, transport, social protection, healthcare, and pharmacy. The regional program "Barrier-free Environment for the Life of Physically Weak Individuals for 2007-2010" was implemented in accordance with the relevant state program. Funds for the measures were allocated through targeted financing, appropriations from the local budget, and funds from the implementing organizations. The further creation of a barrier-free environment at social infrastructure facilities in the region will be carried out under a similar regional program for 2011-2015. -0-