Why Building the Minsk Metro Costs Over $60 Million per Kilometer

Construction of the metro in Minsk is a complex and expensive process that requires significant engineering efforts. The chief engineer of JSC “Minskmetrostroy,” Georgiy Protasov, reported that erecting one kilometre of metro in the Belarusian capital costs more than $60 million. But what exactly drives such a high cost, and what challenges do the builders face? Let’s find out.

How much does one kilometre of metro cost in Minsk?

According to Georgiy Protasov, the base cost of constructing one kilometre of metro in Minsk exceeds $60 million. However, this is just a starting point—there is no upper limit to the price. For example, in Moscow one kilometre of metro costs about $90 million, and in Barcelona some stations on Line 9 cost $170 million each. In Minsk, a figure of $70 million per kilometre was recently announced for the stations commissioned in December 2024, such as “Aerodromnaya,” “Nemorshanskiy Sad,” and “Slutsky Gostinets.” Protasov emphasises that the final cost depends on numerous factors: soil type, chosen drilling technologies, construction methods, and the specifics of each section. “You take one kilometre—it’s one price; you take another—it’s already different,” explains the engineer.

Why is metro construction in Minsk so expensive?

Challenging urban conditions

A metro is not built in open fields. In Minsk, as in other large cities, works are carried out in the confined spaces of urban development. This means engineers must account for existing infrastructure: buildings, roads, utilities. Often, networks must be relocated or detours created, which significantly increases costs.

Geological characteristics

The soil conditions in Minsk present particular challenges. For example, in the area of Bangalore Square, where the third line is being built, the groundwater level is only 1.5–2 metres below the surface. To cope with such conditions, modern technologies are used, such as jet grouting of soils and mechanised tunnelling, which also add to the expenses.

Innovative technologies

Metro construction requires the use of advanced methods. On the third line, for instance, technologies pioneered in the 1980s have been adapted to modern realities. This allows engineers to tackle the engineering challenges but increases the cost of the works.

The deepest station in Minsk: “Yubileinaya Ploshchad”

One vivid example of the complexity of metro construction in Minsk is the “Yubileinaya Ploshchad” station—the deepest station in the city’s subway. The excavation here reached almost 30 metres. To withstand soil pressure, engineers designed a monolithic wall 800 mm thick. This record figure underlines the serious efforts required to build a metro under such conditions.

Fourth metro line: future plans

Minsk continues to expand its underground network. In the future, it is planned to construct the fourth metro line, which will connect “Pushkinskaya” station with “Park Druzhby Narodov” and serve the “Northern Bank” district. The new branch may include up to 17 stations, some of which will be as deep as 25 metres—for transfers—while others will lie at depths of 12–16 metres. The fourth line is intended to link all existing metro lines, reduce travel times across the city by 10–15 minutes, and improve transport connections with suburbs via railway stopping points. The stations are planned to be designed in a modern style with minimalist design and practical materials. Construction could begin by 2030 or even earlier.

Is it worth it?

Metro construction is a “very expensive pleasure,” as Georgiy Protasov put it. However, its significance for Minsk is hard to overestimate. Expanding the metro helps to relieve road traffic, improve the environment, and support the development of new districts, such as the “Northern Bank.” Every kilometre of metro is an investment in the city’s future that pays off in the long term. In the end, the cost of building one kilometre of metro in Minsk—exceeding $60 million—reflects the complexity of the task: from geological difficulties to the need to work within a dense urban fabric. But with each new station, the city becomes more convenient and accessible for its residents.