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Officially, the Kola highway (M18) is part of the European route E105 (from Norwegian Kirkenes to Ukrainian Yalta) and is connected to route E06 - it passes through Sweden and Norway. Within Russia, the road connects the Leningrad region, Karelia and the Murmansk region; the length of the highway is 1592 km. This is a fantastic road because it leads to the Russian North. On it you can get to Kizhi, an amazing monument of Russian wooden architecture, or to Kirovsk - one of the most famous Russian ski resorts. And on the way - visit the Valaam monastery on Lake Ladoga, see the wooden church in Kondopoga, the Kivach nature reserve and waterfall … And finally, get to Murmansk. This is our main ice-free port, the city of white nights (they last here for almost three months), a hero city, picturesquely spread over the hills. Even the central square here is called unusual: Five Corners!
But to get here by car, you must overcome one and a half thousand kilometers through the plains, forests, tundra and mountains. Cross the wide rivers - Neva, Svir, Volkhov. And drive along the shores of two great lakes - Ladoga and Onega.
The federal highway M18 will not leave anyone indifferent. It was opened not so long ago, in 1986, but for several years it was in need of major repairs. The first section, from St. Petersburg to Medvezhyegorsk (a town on the northern tip of Lake Onega, a distance of about 580 km), can be considered simply excellent. At the 135th kilometer there is a reconstruction of the bridge over the Syas river (near the city of Syasstroy in the Leningrad region). The bridge is old, it was built in 1958 and recently recognized as a pre-emergency. In May next year, they promise to put into operation a new bridge, but for now, traffic has been organized along a temporary bypass overpass. Traffic flows without delay. On the site to Petrozavodsk, small repairs are underway, but there are no traffic difficulties anywhere.
The real problems begin beyond Medvezhyegorsk, where a wide reconstruction of the highway has been launched; it will continue until late autumn, while the weather will allow for active road work (see graph). Another wave of repairs starts from the border of the Murmansk region. In the summer, drivers complained that in large areas the old asphalt was removed to the primer and the trip turned into a natural rally raid.
At the 1197th kilometer, near the turn to Kovdor, a new bridge is also being erected. The old one, which connects the shores of Broad Salma, has long failed to meet modern standards; metal trusses, installed almost half a century ago, have exhausted their resources. Further reconstruction of bridge crossings over the Kovda River (near Kandalaksha) and over Tuloma in the village of Kola is planned.
In general, the track is considered quite safe. Perhaps also because in recent years a huge number of video recording cameras have been installed here. Moreover, in the villages they often put in two: at the entrance and exit. Experienced truckers, however, argue that some of the cameras are dummies. But who knows … Therefore, drivers just in case slow down.
And what! Going quietly - you will continue, says an old Russian proverb. And the North does not like the fuss …
