PLANS have been unveiled for a network of four light rail lines totalling 214km serving an area to the south of Moscow. The Southern Chord network will extend the reach of the Moscow metro and connect the airports of Domodedovo to the south and Vnukovo to the west.

 

The project is being developed by Domodedovo Trans Development (DTD) with the support of the Municipal District of Domodedevo and the Ministry of Transport of the Moscow Region. DTD in cooperation with Russia's Ministry of Transport is developing a public-private partnership for the project.

 

A feasibility study for the first 27km section (Line 2) from Domodedovo Airport to Krasnogvardeiskaya metro station should be completed during the first half of 2012 with a view to launching it as a pilot project in 2015. The longest line in the network will be the 102km Line 1 which will connect the two airports.

 

DTD will set up a light rail scientific research and design institute to study and systemise foreign light rail expertise, and conduct research, feasibility studies and design work.