In the first reading, the State Duma passed a bill abolishing the requirement of the availability of alternative free travel on roads when deciding on the use of a highway or its section for a fee.

According to the draft law, this applies to the regions of the Far North and areas equal to them.

At the same time, it is proposed to fix the condition of free passage of cars on toll roads (their sections), which do not have an alternative passage and fall under the above exceptions.

The explanatory note states that the purpose of the draft law is to create conditions for increasing the level of transport accessibility in these areas through the construction of roads and artificial road structures with the attraction of private investment with their subsequent use for a fee.

The norm will only affect roads or sections of roads built and put into operation from the day the relevant law comes into force.

The bill has been submitted to the Duma by the government of the Russian Federation.