Ice Crossing to Olkhon Opens February 12

The ice crossing to Olkhon Island is set to open in just two weeks. This was announced by Andrei Karepov, head of the Center for the State Inspection for Small Vessels (GIMS) of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) of Russia for Irkutsk Region, during a broadcast on «Vesti-Irkutsk».

According to him, the ice road will open on Thursday, February 12. It will start from the village of Kurkut and extend to Irkutskaya Guba Bay. The future route has already been marked, by the way, in the «Yandex Maps» service.

Andrei Karepov also reminded drivers how to behave on the crossing. First, it is necessary to observe the speed limit; second, it is forbidden to stop on the ice road. Third, under no circumstances should one drive beyond the limits of the ice track, which is marked with special poles.

The crossing to Olkhon over the ice of Lake Baikal will operate as long as weather and ice conditions permit. It is usually closed around mid-March. Last year, this happened on the 20th, and it started operating quite late — on February 19. All this was explained by an abnormally warm winter.

It was previously noted that this year the ice crossing to Olkhon might open ahead of schedule. Road workers began setting it up last week.