On December 27, 2024, the Gornyy Institut Metro Station will finally open its doors to the public, marking the culmination of years of anticipation and construction complications. The announcement was made by St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov through his Telegram channel, declaring the opening as "a turning point" following significant delays and setbacks.
The Gornyy Institut station is positioned on the Lakhino-Right Bank line and is one of the deepest metro stations globally, built at a staggering depth of 70 meters, comparable to the height of a 24-story building. It will accommodate up to eight-car trains and is expected to manage daily passenger traffic of around 97,000, helping to alleviate the heavy load on the nearby Primorskaya and especially Vasilyostrovskaya stations.
Governor Beglov highlighted the importance of the station’s opening, saying, "We overcame the crisis and preserved the unique team of metro builders. Today, we see the first results of our work." The anticipation surrounding the station has been palpable, with residents initially expecting the launch on December 25, only to see this date shift due to various construction challenges.
Online maps and resources were updated with information about the station’s entry points before its launch, yet the exact opening date remained uncertain until just days prior, with reports hinting at December 27. The announcement was initially met with mixed reactions, as supporters hoped for swift completion after delays pushed the opening from its original timeline set for September.
The construction of the Gornyy Institut station serves as the ninth addition to the Lakhino-Right Bank line, which extends 5.2 kilometers from Spasskaya to the new station. Between these two points lies another planned station, Teatralnaya, expected to open by 2029, but until then, it will only facilitate transit train movements.
Historical significance surrounds the naming of the station, which was initially dubbed "Bolshoy Prospekt" to parallel the popular thoroughfare. Local authorities decided to name it after the nearby Gornyy Institut, eliminating potential confusion for visitors unacquainted with St. Petersburg's numerous similarly named streets.
Demands swirled over the positioning of the new station's vent and lobby, particularly concerns raised by Valery Gergiev, the artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater. Gergiev pointed out vibrational issues due to the underground construction, affecting the historic theater's integrity and atmosphere.
After over ten years of intermittent construction and setbacks—including the bankruptcy of the original contractor, OAO Metrostroy—the operational status of the Gornyy Institut station is finally confirmed, reinstilling hope for enhanced public transportation accessibility.
With the forthcoming opening, city officials have reiterated their commitment to improving the metro infrastructure, highlighting the increasing demands for public transport capacity amid rising urban populations. And with the year coming to a close, the Gornyy Institut station stands as both a symbol of resilience and urban progress for the city's future.
