The official opening ceremony kicked off at 2:00 p.m. Moscow time with the construction workers engaged in the building of the bridge as well as special equipment passing the bridge.
The president crossed the bridge driving the Kamaz truck.
The construction of the bridge began in May 2015. The project aims at facilitating transportation between mainland Russia and the peninsula, which were previously only connected by a ferry route. The bridge was completed six months ahead of schedule.
The landmark bridge will start regular operations at 5:30 a.m. through the Kerch Strait on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, May 15, at about 2:00 p.m., the grand opening of the Crimean bridge will take place. The ceremony will be held with the participation of Vladimir Putin. The first to cross the new bridge on specialized equipment will be its builders: specialists from different regions of the country, thanks to which the bridge was handed over six months ahead of schedule.