Dispute Erupts as Drivers Speed on Novosibirsk's Fourth Bridge
The launch of temporary traffic on Novosibirsk«s fourth bridge across the Ob River was a significant event at the end of 2025, especially since passage was made free until all exits and interchanges are completed. But not everything went smoothly. The first warning signs were traffic jams around the bridge, which even forced an emergency change to the traffic scheme. And already at the beginning of 2026, Novosibirsk residents had accumulated questions about the facility: why are there speed limits, why are violations not yet being fined, and was it worth opening it unfinished.
«Everyone Who Could Be Bothered Overtook Me»
On the fourth bridge across the Ob in Novosibirsk before it is put into operation (only temporary traffic is currently running) a speed limit of 40 km/h is in place. However, as noted by Vyacheslav Ashurkov, head of the Novosibirsk regional office of the Federation of Car Owners of Russia (FAR), no one is observing it.
«We waited so long for this bridge, stuck in traffic jams, and when temporary traffic was finally launched, we immediately faced a speed limit of 40 km/h. Certainly, there is an excess of 20 km/h that is not being punished. But what is even 60 kilometers per hour on a new surface? It»s a mockery, a snail«s pace. The section is 5 kilometers long, with a divider for oncoming traffic. I deliberately drove at 58 km/h using cruise control. Everyone who could be bothered overtook me. People were flying at 80, 100, and 120 km/h,» he shared.
To monitor violators, road workers installed 12 photo and video recording cameras there — six in each direction. But they are not yet activated.
«I believe the bridge was launched prematurely. The city was not ready for it. Ideally, it should be closed altogether, the urban infrastructure completed, and then the bridge opened,» expressed the expert.
«Signs Dictated by Life»
On 20 January, the committee on transport, industrial, and information policy of the Legislative Assembly of Novosibirsk Region considered an appeal from the Novosibirsk regional office of the Federation of Car Owners of Russia (FAR) to cancel the speed restrictions. Anatoly Kostylevsky, Minister of Transport and Road Infrastructure of Novosibirsk Region, explained why this cannot be done.
«Let me remind you again that temporary traffic is open on a facility that is currently under construction. Road construction work will be carried out on various sections: on cable-stayed systems for installing sensors, on noise barriers, at the toll collection point, and at the interchange near Truda and Energitikov squares. And that is why the limit is 40 km/h. These signs are dictated by life. Unfortunately, road workers die every year, despite the large number of signs,» he reminded. For example, on 11 September 2025, a truck driver killed three road workers on the Irtysh highway in Novosibirsk Region.
Regarding the photo and video recording cameras on the bridge, Anatoly Kostylevsky reported that for now they are operating as traffic intensity counters, but they will soon be connected. NGS appealed to the regional Ministry of Transport to find out when drivers will start being fined for violations.
The minister also emphasized that the option of lifting restrictions at least at night is impossible, since work continues around the clock.
«I disagree with you; work is not always being conducted,» shared observations by Vyacheslav Ashurkov, head of the Novosibirsk regional office of FAR. «Perhaps temporary signs should fence off specifically the exit onto Stantsionnaya Street, where the toll collection post will be, rather than installing them along the entire length?»
Instead of the minister, Valery Ilyenko, chairman of the transport committee of the regional Legislative Assembly, answered him.
«It won»t work. We discussed this issue for an hour before the committee,« assured the parliamentarian and concluded the discussion of the matter.
«Accept It as Is»
In a conversation with an NGS correspondent, Valery Ilyenko, chairman of the relevant committee of the regional Legislative Assembly, clarified that working out this difficult issue took a week even before the committee.
«After all, the facility is not fully commissioned, and we know that. Temporary operation has been launched. Therefore, regulatory documents state that during construction work, speed must be limited to 40 kilometers per hour. And to control this, photo and video recording cameras have been installed. We need to accept this as it is. We must obey traffic rules,» he concluded.
NGS appealed to the Ministry of Transport of Novosibirsk Region and the VIS Group with questions about the completion timeline for construction, organization of work safety and traffic, as well as the parties« responsibility for the facility.
On 20 January, NGS reported who is currently monitoring the condition of the bridge before it is put into operation. The question arose due to abnormal snowfalls in the city. VIS Group explained that the bridge is monitored by the operator company Transtoll. It is part of the concessionaire«s group of companies.
Construction of the facility began in 2020. Work was carried out under a concession with the VIS Group. It was then planned that traffic on the main part would be launched in December 2022, with the remaining work completed in 2023. Temporary traffic was launched only on 15 December 2025. Passage for motorists will be toll-based when it is finally accepted into operation.
