A preliminary route for the second ring road (КАД-2) around St. Petersburg has been outlined, sparking renewed debate about utilizing the existing A-120 concrete road versus constructing a new highway. The draft plan, published by the Ministry of Economic Development, details the ring road’s course and its connections to other major routes.

The proposed route, totaling approximately 348 km, includes the eastern semi-ring stretching from the M-11 highway to Kuzmolovo. This eastern segment, traversing the Tosnensky, Kirovsky, and Vsevolozhsky districts of the Leningrad region, is slated to be a toll road. A new bridge over the Neva River near Pavlovo and Kuzminki is also planned, along with interchanges connecting to highways such as the R-21 “Kola” and the “Road of Life.”

Continuing northeast, the route bypasses the Kurgolovsky and Kavgolovsky lakes, heading towards Toksovo and Lake Heppoyarvi before finally linking to the “Scandinavia” highway near Mainilo. Local residents of dacha and cottage communities have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the highway on their properties.

The primary objective of the КАД-2 project is to alleviate pressure on the current road system, enhance the ecological environment, and facilitate high-speed transit traffic. The existing КАД is currently overburdened and functions as an integral part of the city’s street network.

Previously, the КАД-2 project was in competition with the Shirotnaya Magistral’ of High-Speed Traffic (ШМСД) for priority. The realization of both КАД-2 and ШМСД will necessitate the expansion of the R-21 “Kola” highway, increasing its capacity from four to eight lanes.

The estimated total cost for the project is 379 billion rubles. The initial phase, encompassing the section from M-11 to Kuzmolovo, is budgeted at 216 billion rubles, with anticipated completion between 2027 and 2029.