Vladimir Medinsky: Activities for optimization of Upper Lars  checkpoint functioning will be completed in November 2018 

ArmInfo. The interaction between Russia and Armenia in the transport field is developing steadily, Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, who heads the  Russian delegation at the 7th Russian-Armenian Interregional Forum, said during the forum.

 "First of all, Russia is implementing  agreements to improve the functioning of Upper Lars multilateral road  checkpoint. In November this year, work will be completed to optimize  the functioning, in particular, the number of traffic lanes on the  approach to the checkpoint will increase from one to four, which will  certainly significantly improve the transport situation, "he  explained.

In addition, in the field of railway transport, the implementation of  the concession agreement on the transfer of the railway system of  Armenia to South Caucasus Railway CJSC is underway. "Russia has  invested more than $ 250 million in the railway system of Armenia.  Obligations to invest in infrastructure and renewal of rolling stock  are carried out significantly running over the schedule set by the  agreement," he concluded. 

To recall the former military road through the Upper Lars checkpoint  has been the only land route ensuring Armenia's connection with  Russia since the beginning of the 1990s. The checkpoint is  periodically closed - in the winter due to avalanches, and in the  spring - due to mudflows. The need to create an alternative to the  "Upper Lars" road was mentioned by the former Prime Minister of  Armenia Karen Karapetyan at a government meeting on January 26. The  roads connecting Georgia and Russia through conflict zones of South  Ossetia and Abkhasia could become alternative if a political solution  is found.