Nizhny Bestyakh

Coordinates: 61°57′36″N 129°54′36″E / 61.96°N 129.91°E / 61.96; 129.91

Nizhny Bestyakh (Russian: Нижний Бестях, Sakha: Аллараа Бэстээх) is a settlement of urban type and the administrative center of Megino-Kangalassky Ulus of the Sakha Republic, Russia, located on the east bank of the Lena River, opposite the republic's capital city of Yakutsk. Population: 3,125 (2008 est.);^{[citation needed]} 3,327 (2002 Census);^[1] 3,997 (1989 Census).^[2]

The settlement is the terminus of the only road connection to Yakutsk, the Lena Highway, and is the starting point of the Kolyma Highway, leading to Magadan and the Pacific Ocean coast further east. A ferry allows for transport across the Lena in summer; in winter traffic drives directly across the ice on the frozen river. In spring and autumn the crossing is not possible due to the movement of ice.

Nizhny Bestyakh was planned to be the terminus of the Amur Yakutsk Mainline; however, plans now call for a road and a rail bridge to be built further upstream, allowing a year-round land transport connection to Yakutsk.^[3] In future, Nizhny Bestyakh may find itself on the route for planned extensions of the railway towards Magadan. There are plans to make it a transport hub for north-eastern Siberia and eventually grant town status.^[4]

References

1. ^ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2004-05-21). "Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек (Population of Russia, its federal districts, federal subjects, districts, urban localities, rural localities—administrative centers, and rural localities with population of over 3,000)" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года (All-Russia Population Census of 2002). Federal State Statistics Service. http://www.perepis2002.ru/ct/doc/1_TOM_01_04.xls. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
2. ^ "Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров. (All Union Population Census of 1989. Present population of union and autonomous republics, autonomous oblasts and okrugs, krais, oblasts, districts, urban settlements, and villages serving as district administrative centers.)" (in Russian). Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года (All-Union Population Census of 1989). Demoscope Weekly (website of the Institute of Demographics of the State University—Higher School of Economics. 1989. http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus89_reg.php. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
3. ^ http://www.sakha-info.ru/index_eng.php?news=2157
4. ^ RIA Novosti. В Якутии появится новый город (Russian)