Third Ring Road, Circular road in Moscow, Russia
Third Ring Road is a multi-lane urban motorway in Moscow, Russia, running between the Garden Ring and the Moscow Ring Road. It links different parts of the city through tunnel sections, river crossings, and grade-separated junctions that allow continuous traffic flow without signals.
Construction began in 1960 as a response to growing urban traffic and reached its final form only in 2003, with work progressing in stages over several decades. Completion marked a turning point in Moscow's modern transport infrastructure development after the Soviet era ended.
The name follows Russian practice of numbering ring roads outward from the center, placing this route between the second and fourth rings. Bridges and overpasses along the route give the city a utilitarian character, used daily by commuters and freight vehicles moving between neighborhoods.
Pedestrians can cross the ring using bridges and underpasses available at major junctions, though the surrounding environment is primarily designed for motor vehicles. Traffic remains heavy throughout the day with no quiet periods, so watch for pedestrian signals when crossing.
The Lefortovo Tunnel along the route runs beneath the district of the same name and ranks among the longest urban tunnels in Europe. Road signs along the ring show distances to individual neighborhoods rather than exit routes, making navigation unusual for visitors.
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