JOHN CHUCKMAN COMMENT: THERE’S NOTHING “CONTROVERSIAL” ABOUT PUTIN’S NEW BRIDGE TO CRIMEA – IT’S A BOON AND AN ENGINEERING MARVEL – TRUMP GRIMACES AND THREATENS – PUTIN BUILDS USEFUL NEW THINGS

John Chuckman

COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE IN THE INDEPENDENT

 

“’It’s a real celebration!’ Russia opens controversial 12-mile bridge to annexed Crimean peninsula

“Completed ahead of schedule, the bridge has cost £2.7bn”

 

There’s nothing controversial about it, at least for thinking people.

The bridge is a magnificent achievement. Its first day, it carried heavy traffic.

It’s brilliantly designed with four-lane highway and a double rail line. The engineering efforts to account for everything from strong winds to earthquakes are extraordinary.

It is also very symbolic. Apart from signifying that Crimea is now a permanent part of Russia, the project says Putin is a bridge builder. He’s actually built several important ones in Russia. But this one, Europe’s longest and finished in record time, is the topper.

While Trump is always photographed with his mouth open, grimacing and threatening people.