Sophia Logica's Original Blog
Motivated by China's plan to rebuild the silk road, Russia Russian Railways president Vladimir Yakunin has proposed a plan for a massive trans-Siberian highway to link America. Yakunin said the road would connect Russia with North America via Russia's far eastern Chukotka region, across the Bering Strait and into Alaska's Seward Peninsula, the CNN reported based on the Siberian Times dated 23 March 2015. According to the Alaska Public Lands Information Centers, the shortest distance between mainland Russia and mainland Alaska is approximately 88 kilometers (55 miles).
The project is dubbed the Trans-Eurasian Belt Development (TEPR). It will put up a new train network and oil and gas pipelines alongside the existing Trans-Siberian Railway. The distance between Russia's western and eastern borders is roughly 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles). The main route of the Trans-Siberian railway runs from Moscow to Vladivostok and covers 9,258 kilometers.
The main obstacle would be the isolated region of Alaska. Nome would be the nearest town after crossing the Bearing Strait. The next major city would be Fairbanks which is separate by 836 kilometers (520 miles) of desolate terrain. Being the second largest city in Alaska, Canada and 48 contiguous U.S. states can be reached by road. On the European side CNN fancifully calculated the trip from London to Alaska via Moscow might cover about 12,978 kilometers (8,064 miles). Assuming a road to Nome were ever built a fantasy road trip from London to New York might cover 20,777 kilometers (12,910 miles).
Phil Andows' Comments
Vladimir Yakunin never said anything above connecting Nome to Fairbanks because this is not their sovereignty. CNN, seem5s to enjoy sneering at Yakunin where this stretch of road is concern. When Alaska studied the feasibility of connecting Nome, there was no reason for it due to its seclusion. If there is a possibility to trade with the Russian, it would be a different ball game.
My Comments
Phil, I think Alaska had no choice but to connect Nome. If the Silk Road is establish, America will miss out on a land route to Asia. If the Russian come up with their part, Alaska will connect Nome. The question is the 55 miles across Bearing Sea. By contrast the Golden Gate at San Francisco is only 3 miles long.
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