The Russian government is allotting 664.7 billion rubles (about $10 billion) to the preparation of key infrastructure for the 2018 World Cup. Half of that amount (337.4 billion rubles) will go towards the development of transportation infrastructure.
Due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country, the final sum has been reduced almost threefold. In this year alone the budget was cut twice: In June hotel expenses were cut by 30 million rubles ($450,000), while in August another 150 billion rubles ($1,350,000) was slashed from the budget. One of the high-profile casualties of the cuts was a 240-meter-high TV tower to be built in Samara.
The budget's transportation component, however, has not been changed. The money will be destined to the reconstruction and construction of more than 100 transport sites and facilities, with airport infrastructure and the road network the top priorities.
According to Russian Transport Minister Nikolai Asaul, the federal and local authorities are currently developing logistics solutions based on estimates of passenger flows. Part of the work has already been completed: Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg has been reconstructed and a new terminal has been added to Samara’s Kurumoch International Airport.
The reconstruction of St. Petersburg’s airport took three years. Originally there were plans to connect Pulkovo Airport to the city center with a light-rail tramline, but due to the economic crisis the local authorities abandoned the idea. Fans will be now transported to the city in buses with special routes.