Russia–Alaska tunnel feasibility study underway, official says

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has confirmed that work on the technical and economic feasibility study for a tunnel connecting Russia and Alaska via the Bering Strait began six months ago.

Kirill Dmitriev, special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries and CEO of RDIF, announced the update in a post on X. “We [RDIF] have started the feasibility study of the Russia-Alaska tunnel six months ago,” he wrote.

Russian Direct Investment Fund with partners financed on a commercial basis the first ever railroad bridge between Russia and China. The bridge reduced cargo route by more than 700 kilometres. 👇
We have started the feasibility study of the Russia-Alaska tunnel six months ago. 🤝 https://t.co/SOzv43QRlK pic.twitter.com/efHVy6HkEy

— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 18, 2025

The proposed project, which envisions a tunnel of more than 100 kilometres under the Bering Strait, aims to link the transport systems of Eurasia and North America. The idea has been discussed for decades but has yet to move beyond preliminary studies.

Dmitriev said the tunnel could be built in under eight years at a cost of no more than $8 billion. The structure would accommodate both railway and freight transport, creating new opportunities for joint resource development between Russia and the United States.

He also highlighted the broader economic benefits of such initiatives, noting that Russian-American infrastructure projects generate jobs and stimulate economic growth.

By Vugar Khalilov