17:00, 6 June 2009

"Olympstroy" rejects second seaport in Sochi

The "Olympstroy" has decided to give up its plans to build the second seaport in Sochi, as reported today by Vice-Premier Dmitri Kozak, supervisor of preparation for 2014 Winter Olympic Games, to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

"We've defined 10 cargo sites for warehousing and reloading of freights; and it allowed us to do without the second seaport and save 8.5 billion budgetary roubles," said Mr Kozak.

Earlier it was planned to build two new cargo ports in Sochi. One port - in the area of the mouth of the Psou River, and the second one - near the mouth of the Mzymta River.

According to Vice-Premier, the decision to cancel the second port will, on the one hand, reduce the ecological burden on the coastal areas, and, on the other hand, allow using the extra area for building houses and hotels, as reported the ITAR-TASS Agency.

Also, according to Mr Kozak, Sochi "has entered the phase of full-scale construction." In particular, preparatory works are over for building four ice palaces, as reported by the "Vesti" TV Channel.