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Mr Levitin informed the President about the establishment of a rail-ferry link between the ports of Ust-Luga [Leningrad Region] and Baltiisk [Kaliningrad Region], which will begin operation in the fourth quarter of 2006. The ferry, which will make two return sailings a week, can carry up to 100 railway wagons and 80 cars. Mr Levitin said that this new transport link can be used to connect Kaliningrad Region to the rest of Russia and can also be used for military transport needs. The minister noted that Germany is also interested in the new ferry link. Mr Putin congratulated Mr Levitin on completion of the construction work.

The meeting also examined bridge construction plans. Mr Levitin said that construction work on four major road bridges – in Yaroslavl, Kemerovo, Rostov and over the Tom River – would be complete by the end of the year. Work on some of these bridges had gone on for more than 15 years without completion being in sight. Earlier, the President issued an instruction to complete work on problem projects of this kind.

Mr Putin and Mr Levitin also discussed the introduction to the State Duma of an amendment to the legislation that would make it possible to fine people for road rule violations without having to draw up a protocol on the scene (the draft amendment is being submitted jointly by the Transport Ministry and the Interior Ministry. A system of speed detectors is already in place on Minskoye Shosse leading out of Moscow.