According to a statement by Russia’s Ministry of Transport, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Prime Minister Pak Thae Song attended the opening ceremony of the new road bridge built on the Russia North Korea border via video conference.
The agreement to implement the project was signed in 2024 in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Construction of the bridge began on April 30, 2025, and was completed in 495 days.
More than 5,000 tons of steel structures used in the bridge
The total route covered by the project is approximately 5 km, with the bridge section extending around 1 km. The two lane bridge was constructed using more than 5,000 tons of steel structures and over 9,000 cubic meters of concrete.
More than 70 personnel and over 30 pieces of construction equipment were involved in the construction work.
The new bridge will allow road transportation to operate throughout the year. Russia’s Ministry of Transport stated that the existing railway route over the Tumen River, the Friendship Bridge, has been insufficient to meet transportation needs. The new connection is expected to increase freight transportation, reduce transportation costs and contribute to the development of trade between the two countries.
Hassan border crossing to handle 300 vehicles per day
With the bridge entering service, freight traffic has also started at Hassan, the first road border crossing point between Russia and North Korea.
The border crossing has a total of 10 vehicle lanes, including four freight vehicle lanes, two passenger car lanes, two passenger bus lanes and two oversized vehicle lanes.
Once Hassan border crossing reaches full capacity, it will be able to handle 300 vehicles and 2,325 people per day. Vehicle capacity is expected to be increased to up to 800 vehicles per day in the future. Work to launch passenger traffic is still ongoing.
Bridge named after Yakov Novichenko
The new road bridge was named after Soviet Red Army officer Yakov Novichenko. According to Russia’s Ministry of Transport, Novichenko saved the life of North Korean founding leader Kim Il Sung by preventing an assassination attempt during a rally in Pyongyang on March 1, 1946.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin stated that the new cross border transport infrastructure would contribute to the development of trade and economic relations, production cooperation and regional connectivity between the two countries.
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