PHOTOS: PUTIN OFFICIALLY OPENS MASSIVE BRIDGE LINKING CRIMEA TO RUSSIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 15 officially unveiled a 19-kilometer-long road bridge linking the annexed Crimean Peninsula with Russian territories across the Kerch Strait. Construction of the bridge, which can carry up to 40,000 cars a day, started in 2016. It was originally expected to open in December but was finished ahead of schedule. A railway bridge is due to be completed by the end of 2019.

Ukraine has condemned the project, which cost 228 billion rubles ($3.7 billion). Sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States have targeted those involved in the bridge, including businessman Arkady Rotenberg, a close Putin ally whose company won the construction contract.

The bridge surpasses the Vasco de Gama bridge in Portugal as the longest in Europe.

People near the Russian town of Taman look out in July 2016 over the construction of the Kerch bridge, snaking 19 kilometers toward Crimea. A crew of around 5,000 people are working around the clock on the project, which began in May 2015. 

A photo from July 31, 2017, shows the main archways of the bridge near completion. 

The twin 227-meter-long arches are prepared for placement. The arch on the left will support two railway lines, while the other will carry four lanes of automobile traffic

The arches straddle this gap in the bridge, designed to allow ships to pass beneath. Critics of the project say the planned 35-meter clearance under the bridge will be dangerously tight during stormy weather. Previous, stalled plans for a bridge across the strait called for clearance of at least 50 meters.

A test of the bridge's lighting

A lone vehicle drives down the Crimean Bridge prior to the opening ceremonies on May 15.

Russian President Vladimir Putin drove a Kamaz truck across the bridge on May 15 to officially open the span.  

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