The foundations of Vladivostok Fortress in the Russian Far-East may collapse as a result of construction work on a highway for the 2010 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, the Russian commission for cultural preservation said.
Vladivostok fortress is a unique fortification monument, built in 1889-1914. It was believed to be one of the world's greatest strongholds in the first decades of the 20th century. The fortress became a museum in 1996 and is a UNESCO world heritage site
"Vice-chairman of the Vladivostok Fortress Club Vladimir Kalinin informed us on May 14 that the builders laying the federal highway had intruded on the territory of the historical Vladivostok Fortress Fort No. 13. He said the construction work was threatening to collapse the fort," Head of the regional administrative authorities Pyotr Samoilenko said.
He said a tunnel being dug near the fortress was the main cause for concern.
"During inspections it was found that a 70 meter-long tunnel has been dug along the road that connects the memorial to the main fortress...If work on the tunnel continues, it may destroy parts of the fort's earthworks," Samoilenko said.
He said that the case would be the local cultural preservation commission would continue investigations.
Viktor Grebnev, general director of the Pacific Bridge-building company, which is in charge of constructing the road, told RIA Novosti that the building works do not threaten the memorial.
"There have been no violations; the builders have not touched the monument or made a tunnel," he said.
VLADIVOSTOK, May 19 (RIA Novosti)
