"It is also important to upgrade the motorways which do not only link major economic centers of the country but also have transit importance," said the president.
Vladimir Putin believes, "updated well-developed transport infrastructure will transform Russia's geographic peculiarities into its competitive advantage." According to Mr. Putin, economic entities should be provided with unhindered access to regional and international markets, and infrastructure services of the international level.
The president demanded that the government establish effective mechanisms for controlling quality and expenditures during the construction of new facilities. "Only competitive environment can drastically change the situation," said Putin.
"At the same time, the state [...] will have to control infrastructure development for a long time to come," the president stated emphatically.
As for toll roads, Putin said the Russian government would have to determine the list of toll road projects in the near future.
"We have long been talking about toll roads. I believe we should launch these projects in regard to the main highways, of course, along with free highways," stressed the president.
"In the very near future, the government will have to determine their list," said Putin.
