A quarter of a century after construction began, the railway crossed all of Eurasia and linked the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. St. Petersburg became the starting point of the rail route, and Vladivostok its terminus.
The main line linked the vast territories of the Russian Empire, promoted the economic development of Siberia and the Far East, and supported resettlement policy. Railways permanently changed the country's appearance and the way of life of its urban and rural population. Railway construction and operation became the main driver of Russia's industrial development.
The Great Siberian Route became the largest transport construction project in the entire history of Russian statehood.
“Having now ordered the construction of a continuous railway across all of Siberia, intended to connect the Siberian regions rich in natural gifts with the network of internal rail communications, I entrust you with announcing this will of mine… I charge you with laying in Vladivostok the foundation of the Ussuri section of the Great Siberian Route, authorised for construction at treasury expense and under the direct administration of the Government.”
Thus begins construction of the world's longest railway. Work proceeds simultaneously from two ends: Chelyabinsk and Vladivostok. Given the importance and role of the future main line, its creation is declared a “great national undertaking”, and a special Administration for the Construction of Siberian Railways is established.
The vast main line is divided into sections named the West Siberian, Central Siberian, Trans-Baikal and Ussuri railways.
During the same period, the government changes its railway policy and begins gradually purchasing private railways for the state treasury.
