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Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada has passed a bill that introduces the legal definition of a "strategically important road," as well as the procedure for their use and technical characteristics.
Draft law No. 4647 on amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Automobile Roads" concerning highways that are strategically important " was supported in the second reading by 231 MPs with the required minimum being 226 votes.
"We hereby simplify all procedures to enhance the defense capability of the state and the needs of the Ukrainian army," Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan said at a parliamentary session.
Read alsoOmelyan: $1.85 bln per year needed to make European roads in Ukraine in five yearsAs UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's parliament on January 17 adopted in the first reading a draft law on strategically important roads, which aims to strengthen the defense capability of the state when introducing a legal martial law regime, and regulates the use of roads of military importance when martial law is in effect and their technical coverage.
Under the state budget for 2017, more than UAH 35 billion will be allocated for repairs and reconstruction of the country's roads.
The State Road Agency of Ukraine, Ukravtodor, plans to boost repairs to the country's roads by 2.2 times in 2017 against 2016, to 2,200 kilometers.
The state budget for 2016 allocated about UAH 19 billion for the development of road infrastructure.