Ecologists manage to suspend work in Cape Vidnoe in Sochi

The construction of the railway section across the territory, where red-book plants are growing, in Sochi, will resume after reception of results of an additional examination of the territory.

Thus, the Customer's Service for building railway objects has reacted to the actions of environmentalists, who had blocked for three days the territory, where Pitsunda pine trees and Montpellier spuria brooms are growing.

In the area of Cape Vidnoe, they had planned to build the second tunnel in addition to the existing one. However, because of complex geology, the works were suspended. In order not to break the delivery schedule of construction and other materials by rail, it was decided to build a 750-meter bypass around the mountain, just across the area where the above Pitsunda pine trees and Montpellier spuria brooms, listed in the Red Book, are growing. The project has not yet passed the state examination, but the works were launched.

According to Vladimir Tushonkov, Director General of the Closed Joint-Stock Company (CLSC) "Environmental Security of Industry, Energy and Transports", one of the designers of the railway bypass, the permit to fell the Red-Book Pitsunda pine trees was issued in Moscow.

"Cape Vidnoe exists only because of Pitsunda pine trees. If you cut them, you should expect unpredictable consequences," said architect Elena Patrichenko.

The coastal slopes are prone to landslides and erosion; not only ecologists, but also designers, are quite well aware of this.

As compensation for felled trees, the Contractor - the "Russian Railways" (RZhD) - promises to plant five times more trees and shrubs.

With regard to the Montpellier spuria brooms, the designer - a separate structural unit named the "DKRS RZhD" - decided to suspend the works pending the results of examination of the territory. If it is confirmed that this plant is present in the construction area, the project organization is ready to make respective changes in the dendrology section of the project and replant the rare shrubs.

The railway bypass in Cape Vidnoe from the western side is temporary; upon completion of construction of Olympic objects it will be dismantled as unnecessary.