SCR comments on story about opening of Zamanlu Bridge

YEREVAN, May 2. /ARKA/. The Russian-run South Caucasian Railways (SCR) company operating Armenia’s railroads, issued a clarification concerning a report on Yerkir.am on 1 May 2012, which claimed that the new Zamanlu Bridge, constructed by the SCR, had been commissioned three months before its official opening.

The company said the bridge was opened on 21st of April in a ceremony attended by president, Serzh Sargsyan, chairman of state-owned Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin and SCR CEO Viktor Rebts.

"Regarding the allegation in the report that the bridge was put into operation three months before the opening ceremony, the author of the story might have confused the opening with the testing of the bridge for compliance with safety requirements," SCR said in a statement.

It also said that during the construction of the new bridge the old one was operated to ensure uninterrupted performance of the system, which could also confuse the author of the story.

"The reconstruction of Zamanlu Bridge, started in 2010, is the next step in the development of SCR infrastructure and enhancement of its effectiveness, which play an important role in boosting Armenian economy, creation of necessary conditions for Armenia's integration into Euro-Asian transport system, strengthening cooperation with its partners in the foreign markets, “ the statement said.

The company said also that currently it is improving the nearby railway infrastructure, which includes projects to rehabilitate railway stations in Shagali, Pambak and Vanadzor.

The South Caucasus Railways is run by Russian Railways. The concessional agreement was concluded in 2008 for 30 years, with a right of extension for another 20 years after the first 20 years of operation. -0-