Editing Baikal–Amur Mainline (section)

==Current situation and future prospects==
{{update|section|date=June 2019}}
{{Baikal Amur Mainline extension}}
{{Selikhino-Nakhodka line}}

A major improvement was the opening of the {{convert|15.34|km|adj=on}} [[Severomuysky Tunnel]] on 5 December 2003. It is up to 1.5&nbsp;kilometres (nearly 1 mile) deep. Construction took 27 years to complete. Prior to this, the corresponding route segment was {{convert|54|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, with heavy slopes necessitating the use of auxiliary [[bank engine]] locomotives.

With the resources boom of recent years and improving economic conditions in Russia, use of the line is increasing. Plans exist for the development of mining areas such as ''[[Udokan Range|Udokanskoye]]'' and ''Chineyskoye'' near [[Novaya Chara]], as well as one of [[Eurasia]]'s largest coal deposits at [[Elginskoye coal mine|Elginskoye]] (Elga) in the [[Sakha Republic]] (Yakutia). In connection with this, a number of branch lines have been built or are under construction.

In January 2012 the Russian mining company [[Mechel]] completed the construction of the 320-kilometre-long branch line to Elginskoye, branching from the BAM station Ulak, west of the [[Zeya River]] crossing in northwestern [[Amur Oblast]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mechel.com/press/press/elga_coal_complex?rid=25190&oo=1&fnid=68&newWin=0&apage=3&nm=120532&fxsl=view.xsl|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141017094530/http://www.mechel.com/press/press/elga_coal_complex?rid=25190&oo=1&fnid=68&newWin=0&apage=3&nm=120532&fxsl=view.xsl|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2014|title=Mechel Reports Finishing Laying Railway Tracks to Elga Coal Complex|website=www.mechel.com|access-date=16 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mechel.com/press/press/elga_coal_complex?rid=25190&oo=1&fnid=68&newWin=0&apage=1&nm=121558&fxsl=view.xsl|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141017094532/http://www.mechel.com/press/press/elga_coal_complex?rid=25190&oo=1&fnid=68&newWin=0&apage=1&nm=121558&fxsl=view.xsl|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2014|title=Mechel Reports Obtaining Federal Railway Transport Agency's Approval for Operating Elga Deposit Railway|website=www.mechel.com|access-date=16 August 2017}}</ref> The branch line connects the [[Elginskoye coal mine]] to the Russian railroad network.

Currently under discussion is the construction of a [[Sakhalin Tunnel|bridge or tunnel]] under the [[Strait of Tartary]] to [[Sakhalin Island]], with the possibility of the further construction of a [[Sakhalin–Hokkaidō Tunnel|bridge or tunnel from Sakhalin to Japan]]. A tunnel from the mainland to Sakhalin was previously begun under [[Joseph Stalin]], but was abandoned after his death. A second attempt in 2003 was also postponed during construction. Current economic conditions make the short-term completion of the tunnel doubtful, although Russian president [[Dmitry Medvedev]] announced in November 2008 his support for a revival of this project.<ref>[[PrimaMedia]]: [http://primamedia.ru/news/show/?id=85418 Президент России хочет остров Сахалин соединить с материком] (Russian)</ref>

The BAM now also attracts the interest of Western railway enthusiasts, with some tourist activity on the line.<ref name=yates/>

Also, the BAM itself extension from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to Magadan (Okhotsk coastal route), full length electrification, full length track doubling, and double-stacking under the overhead wires on the Russian gauge tracks (with well cars to make 6.15m height) are proposed.

{|align=center
! Tayshet diversion line<br />(Tayshet bypass)
! Severo-Sibirskaya Mainline
! Lena-Kamchatka Mainline
|- valign=top
|
{{Tayshet diversion line}}
|
{{Severo-Sibirskaya Mainline}}
{{Ust–Ilimsk branch}}
{{Novochunka branch}}
{{Reshoty-Yarki Line}}
|
{{Lena-Kamchatka Mainline}}
|}