Russia seeks to build more bridges in the Far East like the new vehicle bridge that will connect to North Korea, President Vladimir Putin said Friday, as Pyongyang pushed ahead with foundations for the new infrastructure on its side.

Speaking at Vladivostok’s Far East Economic Forum, Putin said the government’s bid to boost local infrastructure includes the construction of new bridges, “including one to the DPRK across the Tumen River.”

He said the new link is expected to open next year, adding that “it is essential to actively develop transport and logistics hubs in the vicinity of these bridges to make full use of their capacity,” as well as modernize border crossings.

In his talks with Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Far Eastern Primorsky Krai, Putin reportedly instructed local authorities to lay a 220 kW power line to the border town of Khasan, where the new bridge is being built. 

This is supposed to give a boost to local tourist infrastructure and draw in more investors, according to Kozhemyako. Additional power access can also be used to reinforce border facilities, including by upgrading existing fences.

But it’s unclear if Russia is planning the construction of additional infrastructure linking the two countries beyond the previously announced vehicle bridge, with Putin not detailing plans for other bridges.

Planet Labs satellite imagery shows North Korea finished installing roofing for a checkpoint on its side of the Tumen River in recent weeks, while starting to install structures for the vehicle bridge on its side of the river over the weekend.

Russia began laying the foundation on its side as far back as March and recently expanded a cofferdam platform for a future bridge column on the water. It has also laid concrete foundations for its future customs checkpoint. 

Russian tender documents show that the Tatarstan-based TSK Rual firm has undertaken the nearly $40 million government contract for the construction of the facility.

The government formally tasked the Sochi-based TonnelYuzhStroi company as the main contractor of the bridge, although an NK News investigation suggested that the powerful construction conglomerate BTS, with direct ties to Chechen elites and Putin, will shoulder most of the work.

Connectivity and infrastructure have traditionally been Putin’s focus at the forum, and this year was no exception, with the president singling out the recent resumption of flights between Moscow and Pyongyang as a major milestone in developing ties.

Moscow-based Nordwind Airlines first carried out a direct flight between the two capitals in late July, marking the revival of a long-defunct aviation route. Passengers previously could only reach Pyongyang by air aboard an Air Koryo jet departing from Vladivostok.

Edited by Bryan Betts