Black Sea highway construction paused amid funding delays in Russia

Construction on the Dzhubga–Sochi highway has been temporarily halted due to funding challenges. Despite this pause, authorities remain focused on long-term development along Russia's Black Sea coast, including key routes linking Dzhubga to Sochi, Gelendzhik, and Novorossiysk.

The suspension of work on the Dzhubga–Sochi stretch does not affect ongoing design efforts. As of March 2025, plans for the Sochi–Dzhubga section were expected to be finalised within a year. Meanwhile, the first phase of the broader project—the Adler bypass—remains on track for completion in 2027.

Financing for the Dzhubga–Gelendzhik segment has already been secured. A public-private partnership, backed by an additional RUB 150 billion from the federal budget by January 2026, will fund this part of the highway. Construction here is set to begin in March 2026, following Avtodor's scheduled progress update to the government in August 2025. The overall project operates under a six-year plan, with certain segments potentially starting construction sooner. Officials continue to prioritise documentation and preparation work despite the current pause in physical construction.

The temporary stoppage on the Dzhubga–Sochi route does not derail the region's infrastructure ambitions. With funding locked in for the Gelendzhik stretch and design work advancing, the project remains on course for phased development along the Black Sea coast.