| Western High-Speed Diameter Западный скоростной диаметр (ЗСД) | |
 | |
| Route information | |
|---|---|
| Length | 47 km (29 mi) |
| Existed | 2008–present |
| Major junctions | |
| North end | The Beloostrov Interchange with E18, Beloostrov E18 |
| South end | A118 Saint Petersburg Ring Road, Saint Petersburg |
| Location | |
| Country | Russia |
| Highway system | |
The Western High-Speed Diameter (ЗСД, ZSD, Russian: Западный скоростной диаметр) is a toll motorway in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The first section of the road open to traffic was an eight-lane motorway connecting the southern section of the A118 beltway with two junctions at the Kirovsky and Moskovsky Districts, respectively. Other sections of the highway were under construction and eventually formed a corridor through the western districts of St. Petersburg to cross the northern portion of the A118 beltway in Yuntolovo and to meet the E-18/M-10 route at the Beloostrov junction. A new 4-km-long section of the highway was slated to open in late 2011.[1] It connects the northern terminus of the first open segment with the industrial western part of the Kirovsky district which hosts the port of St. Petersburg. A 25-km-long section running from Beloostrov to the Primorsky District was scheduled to open in late 2012.[1] The overall length of the Western High-Speed Diameter highway was projected at 47 km (29 mi) upon the scheduled completion in 2013 - 2014.[1] A discount is given during the overnight hours (11 pm - 7 am) and for the vehicles equipped with a transponder. WHSD cost 210 billion rubles. In December, 2016 the whole motorway was open for traffic.
The Western High-Speed Diameter is the most popular road in Russia with more than 380,000 payments per day. The unique objects were created within the construction of the Western High-Speed Diameter, including the longest bridge constructions in Russia (except the Crimean bridge): the Southern Flyover of the main road route over the Sea channel and Korabelny fairway – 9,4 km and the Northern Flyover of the main road route over the Petrovsky fairway and Elagin fairway – 8,8 km. The Western High-Speed Diameter is an inner-city multilane highway, which made it possible to cross a 5-million metropolis in 20 minutes and provides 24-hour transport link between southern and northern districts of St. Petersburg. The highway ensures the transport accessibility of the Sea port areas, unloads the historic center of the city, the Ring Road and the road network. For the first time ever, thanks to WHSD implementation all districts of St. Petersburg became accessible to drivers 24/7.
The Western High-Speed Diameter is divided into three sections: Southern, Central and Northern. The Central section mostly consists of the unique bridgeworks such as a cable-stayed bridge over the Korabelny fairway, a cable-stayed bridge over the Petrovsky fairway and a double-deck bridge over the Sea channel. The Central section of WHSD incorporates a whole complex of artificial structures and is considered the most challenging part of the road in respect of engineering solutions and construction process.
- ^ a b c "FAQ on Western High-Speed Diameter" (PDF) (in Russian). Official Website of the Western High-Speed Diameter Project. August 1, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.