Kozya Sloboda accepted first passengers

 (KZN.RU, December 30, Renat Shirmanov). Kozya Sloboda metro station, the most long-expected began to work in Kazan. Today first passengers have overcome the distance more than 2 km under Kazanka riverbed.

The station has been visited by Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan Marat Rakhimov, the Chief of the MUE Kazmetrostroy, Asfan Galyavov, and the CEO of the MUE Metroelectrotrans. They traveled from the Kremlyevskaya to the Kozya Sloboda stations. Honored guests appreciated the quality of the work performed by metro constructers and proceeded backwind thus made sure in the readiness of the new station and tunnels for safe passengers transportation.

"Today a historical event for all residents of Kazan has been held on the eve of New Year. We actually put together two halves of the city into one. Kozya Sloboda station is a long-expected indeed, and I sincerely thank Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of our Republic for support thanks to which we continue to build and develop Kazan Metro. There is the longest tunnel from the Kremlyevskaya station to the Kozya Sloboda station - 2,342 meters. Seeing what is happening on Kazan roads in the last few days it is difficult to overestimate the importance of the station opening and continuation of construction of others", Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan noted.

Marat Rakhimov, the Chief of the MUE Kazmetrostroy noted in his turn that now there is an aim to put three new metro stations by 2013 - Dekabristov, Moskovskaya, and Zavodskaya. "The main thing is that there will be a timely funding", Marat Rakhimov marked.

Kozya sloboda station is a column type of three-flights, with two underground vestibules and a block of service rooms. The designofthestationismadeofreinforcedconcrete frame.

The design of the interior was based on the use of effective updating finishing materials. Facing of the tunnel walls and columns is made of composite materials and porcelain tiles; floor was set with polished granite of different species after the special drawing. Architectural lighting of the platform is effected by built-in ceiling lights. Details of decorative lamps and grates are made of metal.

Two underground vestibules and platform of the station are connected by escalators. Stairs to the vestibules are supplemented with wheelchair ramps and closed halls built for snow-wreath.