OREANDA-NEWS. December 08, 2014. Two Capitals Highway, a VTB Capital subsidiary, and Vnesheconombank (VEB) have signed a cooperation agreement to finance, build and operate two sections of the M-11 Moscow-St Petersburg toll motorway (543 km-646 km and 646 km-684 km).

The memorandum outlines VEB’s intention to participate in financing the project alongside VTB on the agreed terms of the concession agreement for the 140-km section of the M-11 previously signed between State Company Russian Highways (Avtodor) and Two Capitals Highway.

VTB Bank is financing the project, in which it is also a shareholder, while VTB Capital is acting as financial consultant.

Capital investment in the project will total about RUB 76.8 billion and will be financed through a state grant of RUB 57.6 billion, as well as external financing and funds provided by the shareholders. Construction will start in early 2015 and is scheduled for completion in 2018.

The Moscow-St Petersburg motorway is a strategically important federal investment project to develop Russia’s transport infrastructure. The modern high-speed road is planned as a major thoroughfare linking the two largest cities in Russia.