Sakhalin–Hokkaido Tunnel
The Sakhalin–Hokkaido Tunnel (or potentially bridge) is a proposed connection to link the Russian island of Sakhalin with the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Cost estimates by Russia in the year 2000 put the project to span the strait at $50 billion. Overview On 16 January 2009, the Russian Vice-Minister of Transport, Andrei Nedosekov, confirmed that proposals are now under consideration in regard to the Sakhalin–Hokkaido Tunnel. The proposal was for a bridge rather than a tunnel. His decision to invite Japanese companies to bid to become consortium members of a wide array of Russian rail infrastructure work, particularly the Sakhalin Tunnel (or bridge) to the Russian mainland could be taken as a nod towards future rail cooperation between Russia and Japan. The tunnel would span roughly between Sakhalin's Cape Crillon (in Russia) to Hokkaido's Cape Sōya (in Japan). In comparison, the completed Seikan Tunnel links the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. A further tunnel or bridge in the north of Sakhalin to the Russian mainland would also have to be created. Already a proposal for the Sakhalin Tunnel, has been announced by the Russian Government. Once on the Russian mainland, the rail link could connect to the rest of