Published on: 2026-04-09
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Правительство Российской Федерации –
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In Chelyabinsk, the construction of the light rail metro line continues with the involvement of funds from an infrastructure budget loan. Specialists have begun the mechanized excavation of the second tunnel from the “Ulitsa Ovchinnikova” stop of the “North – South” line. This was reported by the Deputy Chairman of the Government Marat Khusnullin.
“In various cities of Russia, the creation of new metro lines continues, where some of the most technologically complex methods of constructing transport networks are applied. The metrotram project in Chelyabinsk, which we are implementing under the President’s directive, will become an integral part of the city’s modern transport infrastructure and increase travel comfort. The tunnel-ventilation complex “Maria” has started operating on the section from the “Ulitsa Ovchinnikova” stop to the “Torgovy Tsentr” station.”The total length of the right diversion tunnel on this section will be 2170 m, for which 1549 rings of high-precision reinforced concrete lining will be installed,” said Marat Khusnullin.
The tunnel-boring complex “Maria” was originally used in the construction of the Large Circle Line of the Moscow Metro, but it underwent a special modernization for the metrotram in Chelyabinsk.
“We continue the construction of the first line of the metrotram ‘North – South.’ We are implementing this project with active support from the Government of Russia. It has become a continuation of the extensive work on renewing transportation in the region. The metrotram is a new level of transportation accessibility for Chelyabinsk. It will connect important districts of the city, increase comfort and travel speed for residents, and also unite public electric transport routes into a single modern system. This is a priority project for us. We are moving forward consistently,” emphasized the governor of Chelyabinsk region, Aleksey Teksler.
The construction project of the metrotram line is being implemented by the forces of the group of companies “Mosproekt-3”. The excavation of the second tunnel on this section of the route will also be carried out by the subcontractor company of the CRCC holding from China – LLC “16th Management SiARC”, whose first shield “Polina” began excavation on December 26, 2025, and in three months laid more than 150 meters of the left running tunnel under the most difficult conditions.
In addition to the work on the tunnel profile from the southern side of the metrotram line, work is also underway in the northern part: at the future station “Kosareva Street,” where, for the preparation for the start of shield tunneling on Pobedy Avenue, a new section of tram bypass tracks has been laid to avoid completely stopping public transport movement, the preparation of the starting excavation pit is being completed. From it, two tunnel shields will begin to build tunnels towards the “Shopping Center” station.
Similar works on the reconstruction of the tram line are now being prepared on Kaslinskaya Street. There, a third starting excavation pit will be dug for laying two more sections of tunnels.
The project for the first metrotram line “North – South” in Chelyabinsk with a length of over 9 km includes the construction of two underground stations (“Revolution Square” and “Shopping Center”) and above-ground stop points: “Ovchinnikova Street”, “Kosareva Street”, and “Kaslinskaya Street.”
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