Moscow Region Governor Boris Gromov is going to ask President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to take into account the opinion of citizens who support the construction of a controversial highway through the Khimki forest north of Moscow, the governor's press service said on Wednesday.
Medvedev ordered the suspension of plans to construct a toll highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg through the centuries-old forest on August 26, as a result of a large-scale public protest against the project. The president said additional public and expert consultation should be held on the issue.
Following the president's order, a poll was held among Khimki residents to find out if they support construction of the road, the governor's press service said. Some 20,000 people signed letters to Putin and Medvedev asking them to continue construction, according to the report.
RIA Novosti
