With blessings and speeches in Norwegian, Russian and Sami, Russian and Norwegian transport officials last week dedicated a bridge and tunnel connecting the two countries, but travelers will have to wait a bit longer before using it.
Unlike the Danish bridge that has a gap due to a building error, this one is waiting for diplomatic and political decisions on what sort of border crossing facilities will control traffic through the link that connects isolated parts of the two countries, near where they and Finland come together.
“What is special here is that we have collaborated with Russian transport authorities for a long time and built on both sides. That’s why we now have a better connection between Kirkenes and Murmansk,” Norwegian transport minister Solvik-Olsen told the press.
And once the Russians make up their mind about the border station and build the last 400 meters of roadway, that might be useful!
