As Russia prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, cities across the country are bracing for significant traffic disruptions on May 9, 2025. The celebrations will include parades and various events, leading to road closures and rerouted public transport in several regions.
In Stavropol, the State Traffic Inspectorate announced that from 7:00 AM to 11:59 PM, numerous streets in the city center will be closed to vehicles. The affected streets include Dzerzhinsky, M. Morozov, and Marshal Zhukov, among others. Specifically, traffic will be halted on Dzerzhinsky from L. Tolstoy to Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsiya, and on K. Marx from Golenev to Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsiya. A complete list of closures includes major thoroughfares such as Suvorov, Pushkin, and Lenin, which will further complicate travel plans for residents and visitors alike.
According to the traffic authority, "Movement will be stopped on the following streets: Dzerzhinsky, M. Morozov, Marshal Zhukov, Sovetskaya, Bulkin, Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsiya, and many others." This extensive closure is expected to impact not only private vehicles but also public transport, which will need to adjust routes accordingly.
In Nizhny Tagil, similar restrictions will apply. On the same day, all buses will be rerouted to Karl Marx Street to accommodate the celebrations. Tram services will also see adjustments, with trams running at intervals of 15-18 minutes from Ostrovsky to Tagilstroy. Notably, tram routes 6 and 10 will maintain their regular schedules, providing some continuity amidst the chaos.
Transit authorities in Nizhny Tagil stated, "Six trams will run from Ostrovsky through Vya to Tagilstroy, while two will operate from VMZ to Ostrovsky. Route 15 will travel a shortened distance from GGM to Ostrovsky, and route 12 will run from Pikhtovy Mountains to the Road Department." This careful planning aims to ensure that residents can still access essential services despite the road closures.
Meanwhile, in Birobidzhan, traffic will also be restricted on May 9. The regional center will see roads closed for the Victory Parade from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Specific streets, including the 60th Anniversary of the USSR Avenue and Gorky, Oktyabrskaya, and Lenin Streets, will be closed at varying times throughout the day. The closures are set to accommodate both the parade and additional celebrations, including an athletics relay race and the "Immortal Regiment" procession.
During the parade, Gorky, Oktyabrskaya, and Lenin Streets will be closed from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with other streets shutting down from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for the relay race and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM for the procession. Local authorities have emphasized the importance of these events, stating that they will honor the sacrifices made during the war.
Chita will also experience significant traffic disruptions on May 9. The city has announced road closures due to the Victory Parade and other festivities. From 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM, traffic will be restricted on numerous streets, including Leningradskaya and Lenin, with exceptions made for trolleybuses until 7:45 AM. The closures will continue throughout the day, with specific streets being blocked off at different times.
For instance, from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, traffic will be halted along Belik Prospect and Komsomolskaya Street. As the day progresses, further restrictions will be implemented, with entry to the viewing platform near the chapel named after St. Prince Alexander Nevsky prohibited from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Local authorities in Chita have been proactive in informing the public about these changes. They have released detailed schedules and maps to help residents navigate the disruptions during this important national holiday. The mayor's office has urged citizens to plan their journeys in advance and to consider alternative routes to avoid the closed areas.
As the nation honors its veterans and commemorates the victory over fascism, these road closures reflect the magnitude and significance of the celebrations. The events scheduled for May 9 are not only a tribute to the past but also a demonstration of national pride and unity.
In summary, the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War will bring about extensive traffic disruptions across several Russian cities. Residents in Stavropol, Nizhny Tagil, Birobidzhan, and Chita are advised to prepare for road closures and rerouted public transport as the country comes together to celebrate this historic milestone. With careful planning and community cooperation, the celebrations can proceed smoothly, allowing all to partake in honoring the sacrifices made for peace and freedom.