VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Prime Minister Putin toured the flood control command center where dispatchers monitor the system's operations. The environmental state of the water surrounding the flood control complex is monitored by more than 30 water purification systems that make sure that runoff from nearby roofs and roads does not flow into the channel.
Vladimir Putin then visited the observation platform and inspected the complex's locking mechanisms. One such mechanism weighs 3,000 tonnes; together with its frame and joint it weighs a total of 5,000 tonnes. Locking mechanisms installed on the levee are designed to prevent flooding. When closed, these gates stop water from flowing into the city.
Upon his inspection of the mechanisms, the prime minister noted: "An impressive structure. Worthy of St Petersburg. There is a technological beauty to it."
Prime Minister Putin was asked to pose for a picture with the project's participants, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, St Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko and Minister of Regional Development Viktor Basargin, who accompanied him on this visit. According to Viktor Basargin, this photograph will be placed in an album dedicated to the flood control compex to make a record of how the project began.
"Only I know how it all began," said Vladimir Putin with a smile.
Transcript of the beginning of the opening ceremony:
Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen!
Today we celebrate here an undeniably historic event. Today we have completed the construction of a flood control complex in St Petersburg. Construction of the complex began in 1979 in Leningrad and, to be honest, was not progressing well. In the 1990s, it was abandoned altogether. I remember well how I came here in 2005 and saw that it had become a huge scrapyard of metal pipes and reinforced concrete, and how I felt that the project was beyond repair. But still in 2005 the decision to rebuild was made, and work began in 2006.
Now that it has been completed, the city will not only be protected from a reoccurring nightmare, flooding, the environmental situation will also improve, since the remaining part of the city ring road will run along the levee. This is a very important event, not only for the residents of St Petersburg, but for all Russians who love Russia's northern capital, this unique open-air museum of a city. Transit traffic will be redirected away from the city centre, which will improve the environmental situation in St Petersburg. Unique architectural landmarks that make us proud will be preserved, as there will be no trucks carrying oversize load through the city.
It's satisfying that the completion of this complex coincides with the Day of the Builder. I would like to thank all of the workers, engineers, and scientists who worked on this project and congratulate you on this holiday that is dear to all Russian builders. The job that you do is important, valuable. The construction industry is one of the most important to our economy, and to the economy of any developed nation.
There are huge challenges before you – to build new industrial facilities, new roads, tunnels, bridges and other infrastructure. There are huge challenges in housing construction. In the near future we must double the number of housing built across the nation (up to 140 million square metres a year). I want to congratulate you on this day and wish you even more successes like the one today.
I declare the flood control complex in St Petersburg open! Thank you.
