Marat Khusnullin: Development of the M-4 “Don” Highway, which is Celebrating its 70th Anniversary, Continues

Published on: 2026-09-01

Source: Government of the Russian Federation –

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This year, the M-4 “Don” highway turns 70 years old. Over this time, it has transformed from a two-lane road into a modern high-speed highway. Since it was transferred to the trust management of the state company “Avtodor,” almost 800 km of the roadbed along the route has been constructed and reconstructed. Additionally, major repairs have been carried out on more than 482 km. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

“This year we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Builder’s Day – the professional holiday of those who are directly involved in creating the future of our country. Speaking of the future, it is impossible to overlook one of the key infrastructure projects that has become part of the present – the M-4 “Don” highway, which also turns 70 years old today. It is now the most important transport artery within the international transport corridor “North – South.” It connects the central part of Russia with the Black Sea and Azov coastlines. Over seven decades, it has become a modern high-speed highway that is popular among Russians. All this is the result of the tireless work of several generations of road workers. An important milestone in the history of the main road to the south was the year 2010, when the highway was transferred to the trust management of the state company “Avtodor.” Over the years, almost 800 km have been built and reconstructed on the M-4. Additionally, major repairs have been carried out on more than 482 km. Thus, one of the first significant results was the increase in the number of lanes from Moscow to the Voronezh region.”In 2011, motorists gained the ability to drive on four lanes on this section. In the following years, the development of the M-4 continued simultaneously in several regions. Bypasses of settlements and interchanges were constructed, existing sections were reconstructed, and opposing traffic flows were separated. This made it possible to gradually increase the highway’s capacity and divert transit traffic outside cities and towns,” said Marat Khusnullin.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, one of the major projects was the bypass of the village of Losevo and the city of Pavlovsk in the Voronezh region. Traffic on the new section, more than 85 km long, was opened in 2020. This allowed transit traffic to be diverted outside populated areas and eliminated one of the busiest sections on the way to the south of the country. Then the famous “Tula hills” and sections in the Voronezh region were reconstructed.

Marat Khusnullin added that currently a large-scale reconstruction of a section of the M-4 “Don” highway is underway in the Rostov region. The work is being carried out while maintaining the number of lanes in both directions in order to not reduce the highway’s throughput capacity.

Alongside the reconstruction of existing ramps in the Krasnosulinsky and Oktyabrsky districts, new transport interchanges are being built. To enhance road safety, the facility will be equipped with an automated control system, and artificial lighting will operate at night. Noise barriers will be installed near populated areas. About 2,000 people and more than 600 pieces of equipment are involved in the work. Completion of the reconstruction is planned for 2027.

As noted by the head of the state company “Avtodor” Vyacheslav Petushenko, a new phase of development for the M-4 “Don” highway took place in 2023.

“At that time, the construction and reconstruction of the 65-kilometer eastern bypass of Aksay (a satellite city of Rostov-on-Don) and the 51-kilometer distant western bypass of Krasnodar on the federal highway M-4 ‘Don’ were completed ahead of schedule. Thanks to this, the route to the Black Sea during the summer season was reduced by almost two hours. Today, the development of the M-4 ‘Don’ continues. In the Rostov region, large-scale reconstruction is underway on the section from the 933rd to the 1024th km. New transport interchanges are being built, existing exits are being reconstructed, and the safety and throughput capacity of the highway are being improved. Over 70 years, the M-4 ‘Don’ has become not just a road to the south. It is the result of the labor of several generations who, over seven decades, created one of the country’s main transport highways,” emphasized Vyacheslav Petushenko.

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