Strong Link in the EU-Russia Transit

Narva is an important transit point between Russia, Estonia and other EU countries. Transportation of oil products, coal, wood, and mineral fertilizers goes by rail. Another significant highway Tallinn-St. Petersburg (E-20) also passes through Narva.

Estonian city Narva is located on the bank of the Narva River and on the border with Russia. The EU's Cohesion Fund has assigned to Estonia a grant to identify best solutions for organizing cross-border traffic over the Narva River.

According to a specialist of the Cohesion Fund of the Estonian Ministry of Finances, research for construction of a new bridge could last a little more than a year: "Research is complicated by the fact that much depends on Russia". According to the general director of the Estonian Department of Highways, five years ago the cost of construction of a new bridge would have made up 20 to 25 million EURO. This sum comprised the cost of construction of the bridge, as well as of terminals and access roads on the Estonian side.

A must for the new bridge arose because the old bridge, which connects Narva with the neighbouring Russian town of Ivangorod, has been continually experiencing increased loads due to hectic transit traffic after Estonia's access to the EU. The Highway Border Station informs that the number of trucks, which have crossed the Station during last 2 years, have doubled and keep growing. During the first 3 months of 2005 the growth made up almost 45% as compared with the previous year.

"For many centuries Narva has remained a key link in the transit chain West-East. This situation have been evolving historically and geographically. This route has always been the shortest one between Tallinn and St.Petersburg, and therefore, it is most advantageous, economically speaking. Looking for some different transportation ways or constructing the new ones would be far more expensive. Besides, the new bridge is needed here not only to develop Estonian-Russian commodity circulation, but also to develop the entire transit between West and East" - says Viktoria Soosaar, Vice Mayor of Narva.

The city of Narva is remarkable not only due to its advantageous geographical location. It is a beautiful city with rich history and vast development potential in the fields of tourism and entrepreneurship.

by Anton Vylitok and Sergei Muiznieks