Saint Petersburg was gripped by severe traffic congestion on December 24, 2023, with multiple incidents creating stress for motorists and public transport users alike. By 5 PM, the traffic ratings reached the maximum of 10 points, marking remarkable congestion surpassing regular levels.
According to Yandex.Traffic, as of 5:30 PM, the congestion level had already hit 9 points, exceeding the usual traffic conditions by 2 points. The situation worsened quickly, particularly for major thoroughfares leading to the city center. Reports indicate the highest congestion was observed on Vitebsky Avenue, Moskovskoye Highway, and Sofiyskaya Street, where traffic reached the maximum rating of 10.
Sofiyskaya Street, notorious for its regular traffic challenges, saw congestion levels six points above normal. The broad jam on Sofiyskaya extended approximately 6.6 kilometers from Truda Street to Grusovoy Proezd, illustrating the frustrating conditions faced by drivers. Even more significant hold-ups were recorded on the inner ring of the Circular Highway, which stretched 11.3 kilometers from Komendantsky Avenue to Engel's Avenue.
This traffic turmoil mirrored earlier reports from the day. At around 4 PM, congestion peaked at 6 points, which was already above the usual count of 5. The roads most impacted included Nevsky Prospect and Sadovaya Street, with congestion levels hitting 10 points. Other crowded areas included the embankments of Fontanka, and the Griboedov Canal, where traffic was noticeable worse than typically seen on Sundays.
During the afternoon hours, frustrated drivers reported immobilization on the Alexander Nevsky Square and Nevsky Prospect, with aprroximately 4.8 kilometers of backed-up vehicles extending to Palace Square. Adding to the chaos, traffic interruptions near the Hermitage, particularly on Dvorzovaya Embankment between the Dvortsovy and Troitsky Bridges, compounded the stress for many. Reports from motorists indicated delays of nearly 40 minutes due to traffic stopping intermittently.
By 6 PM, the chaos had spread, with conditions remaining dire throughout the city. Buses and trams were significantly impacted, as detailed by the "Organizer of Transport". Several bus routes, including the numbers 2, 3, and 10, experienced delays close to 30 minutes. Notably, the public transportation network reported extensive delays across multiple lines traveling along affected routes, resulting from the compounded effects of high traffic density.
Continuing throughout the evening, by 7 PM, reports confirmed persistent 10-point congestion levels, with delays remaining severe, now three points above the normal standards for Christmas Eve. Stranded travelers at Pulkovo Airport had to resolve transport through foot travel due to halted bus services. Even with these measures, the main highways, including the Circular Highway, remained partially closed.
Specific hotspots of congestion included Obukhovo Defense Avenue, which saw 10 points instead of the usual estimate, and parts of the Fontanka River embankment, proving to be equally gridlocked. The city's southern areas, such as the entrance road from Vasilievsky Island, faced equally heavy delays.
While factors like holiday traffic and old roadworks were acknowledged as contributors, the administration had previously alerted citizens about anticipated traffic restrictions along the Circular Highway and specific plazas from December 23 to 26. The basic disruptions appear to have escalated beyond expectations.
Drivers continued to encounter irritating waits on ZSD, with the southbound lane congested heavily from Koralovaya Farvater Bridge downwards and peaks traveling northward from Vasilievsky Island toward Planernaya Street.
Overall, widespread complaints illuminating the untenable condition fell upon the authorities, especially as travel times across the network swelled by significant margins. Reports suggested extreme delays for public transport, asserting the need for citizens to plan their routes well in advance.
commuters were advised to allow for extensive delays on significant urban arteries due to the expected prolonged traffic jams expected through the rest of the holidays. Such accidents have raised concerns over traffic management and road safety during this peak travel period.
With expectations of traffic normalization after the holiday period subsides, officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
