Authorities Outline Timelines for Olkhon Ferry

The Ministry of Transport and Road Facilities of the Irkutsk Region plans to launch a third ferry to Olkhon, ensure priority for local residents at the crossing, and organize an electronic queue. However, all of this will happen at different times. The ministry outlined the timelines for these long-awaited plans in a chat on the Telegram channel «kobzevnasvyazi».

The question about the third ferry was raised by a local resident.

«Mr. Kobzev! Please resolve the issue of the ferry crossing to Olkhon Island! There is no third ferry, let them hurry to have it on the line. It»s the season now, and I ask to resolve the issue by the end of August so that accredited guides can cross with their jeeps to the island on the cargo ferry «Mechanik Bryantsev». Otherwise it«s impossible to work during such an active season for everyone!» — wrote user Mikle.

After this, the official account of the Ministry of Transport of the Irkutsk Region began responding in the chat. They pleased people by saying that the third ferry would be on the crossing as early as the end of this week. The rest of the conveniences are more complicated.

«The possibility of creating an electronic queue at the ferry crossing will be considered after the reconstruction of pier facilities on Olkhon (island part). For this, a state contract has been concluded between OGKU »Directorate of Highways« and JSC »Road Service of the Irkutsk Region«, work is planned to be completed in 2028,» the ministry noted.

They also explained that the barge «Mechanik Bryantsev» is intended only for transporting equipment and materials used in road repairs, as well as trucks and special vehicles.

The Irkutsk Region Prosecutor«s Office also joined the dialogue, explaining what would be done regarding organizing priority rights at the crossing for local residents. There too, everything is very shaky — the authorities are still searching for legal grounds for this.

«Priority passage out of turn for motor vehicles is given to regular transportation routes, emergency services, and other special vehicles. The Ministry of Transport and Road Facilities of the Irkutsk Region, in cooperation with the East Siberian Transport Prosecutor»s Office, is working out the legal possibility of adopting a draft regulatory legal act providing priority passage for residents of Olkhon at the ferry crossing,« representatives of the agency noted.

Currently, two ferries operate on the crossing — «Semyon Batagaev» and «Olkhonskiye Vorota».