First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, Minister of Transport Igor Levitin and Primorye Territory Governor Sergei Darkin described to Mr Putin plans for the development of Russky Island.
Mr Putin inspected the construction of a bridge crossover, which in 2012 will link Vladivostok with Russky Island, the venue of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The bridge is expected to be one of the largest cable-stayed bridges in the world /with a main span of 1,104 metres/ and will set a record in world bridge-building.
The Prime Minister arrived at the island from Vladivostok on a motor-launch. Standing on the shore of the Eastern Bosphorus Strait, which will be spanned by the bridge, Mr Putin could see not only the progress on building bridge piers, but also the progress of construction on the opposite side.
Deputy Transport Minister Andrei Nedosekov told Mr Putin that the bridge would rise 70 metres above the water to enable both warships and large tourist cruise liners to pass freely underneath. The total length of the bridge, complete with ramps, will be 3,100 metres. The crossover will have four traffic lanes and its carriageway will be almost 24 metres wide.
"How long have you building it and when will you finish it?" Mr Putin asked Mr Nedosekov.
"We began four months ago and will open it for traffic on March 31, 2012," Mr Nedosekov answered. "Everything is on time and going according to schedule," he added.
"You need not hurry, but at the same time there should be no delays," Mr Putin said.
During the tour Mr Putin was also explained the placement of Pacific fleet facilities.
Mr Putin also saw the site where Far Eastern Federal University is being built, which is in one of the bays. 200,000 square metres of administrative and academic space is planned for the site, housing for teaching staff, and student halls.
According to the Governor, an oceanarium will be built not far from the University. Now preparatory work is being conducted on the site and the area is being cleared of rubble.
In addition, Mr Putin was shown blueprints for hotel complexes which will be built by the 2012 APEC summit.