Moscow's Central Transport Hub Expands: MCD to Reach Four Regions
In an ambitious move to enhance the connectivity of the Russian capital, Moscow's Central Diameters (MCD) will soon extend to four neighboring regions: Kaluga, Yaroslavl, Smolensk, and Tula. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced this significant development at the international forum "Russian Energy Week," highlighting the initiative as part of a larger modernization program for the Central Transport Hub. The expansion aims to create a robust transport network that will not only improve daily commutes for millions but also stimulate economic growth across these regions.
The MCD system, which has already transported over 1 billion passengers since its inception, is set to evolve further. President Vladimir Putin had previously emphasized the importance of extending the MCD to major cities surrounding Moscow, including Kaluga and Tula. He noted that this initiative is crucial for improving the transport infrastructure, which will lay a solid foundation for the country’s economic development. “Such initiatives will qualitatively improve the lives of millions of people,” Putin stated, underlining the transformative potential of the project.
Future of MCD: High-Speed Rail and Regional Connectivity
The plans for the MCD extension are not limited to the four mentioned regions. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin revealed that the ultimate goal includes extending the MCD to 11 regions across Russia. This expansion is part of a broader vision to modernize the entire Central Transport Hub, which is expected to accommodate around 800 million passengers annually, making it one of the largest transport hubs in the world.
As the project progresses, feasibility studies and investment assessments are underway to ensure its successful implementation. The previous MCD projects were financed through a collaborative approach involving the federal budget, the Moscow budget, and Russian Railways, and there are hopes to replicate this model for the new routes. The MCD system, which currently connects numerous cities in the Moscow region, has become an integral part of the capital's transport landscape since its initial launch in 2019.
keywords:[
Moscow Central Diameters
transport infrastructure
economic growth
Kaluga
Yaroslavl
Smolensk
Tula
