Penza, 28 May 2014. PenzaNews. Deterioration of regional and inter-municipal roads with asphalt pavement is about 80% in the Penza region. This was announced by the deputy minister - head of construction and road construction of the Ministry of Construction and Housing in the region Mikhail Novikov during a meeting with reporters on Wednesday, May 28.

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He said that in general, there are 3,5 thousand km of regional and inter-municipal roads, as well as 9 thousand km of municipal roads.

“Regional road fund amounts to 1,600 million rubles,” the first deputy minister said, while explaining that the funds are forwarded to repair existing facilities and construction of new roads.

Mikhail Novikov said that the bulk of the roads — the so-called backbone network — was built over 40 years ago with low strength and bearing materials, as well as based on old figures.

“Most of the trouble is that the roads were designed and built for wheel load of 6 tons per axle. Today, the load is 12 tons, that is almost twice as much,” he said.

According to Mikhail Novikov, the most difficult period is spring and autumn, when the roads have to bear a large number of heavy trucks, which in combination with difficult weather conditions affects the quality of the backbone.

“We are trying to do our best to eliminate the consequences of the autumn-spring period,” the first deputy minister stressed.