Moscow-St. Petersburg toll highway to start in 2007

ST. PETERSBURG, June 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's economics minister Monday expressed hope that the construction of a toll highway between two largest cities in the country could start in 2007.

"I hope that this new project will start next year," German Gref told a news conference dedicated to projects that will be presented in the framework of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.

The construction of a toll highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg is planned to be finished by 2010. A state-owned shareholders association will be created to attract domestic and foreign investment in the 180-billion ruble ($6.66 billion) project.