Updated: 5/28/2008 8:30:06 PM
A delegation from overseas is learning about Tennessee road construction, including the project to widen a stretch of I-40 through Knoxville.
They're from the Republic of Karelia (pronounced kuh-REE-lee-uh).
It's part of the Russian Federation, located next to Finland in northwest Russia.
This week they are touring sites in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville.
Translators helped Tennessee Department of Transportation engineers share specifics about SmartFIX40 with Karelian leaders Wednesday. They quickly found common ground.
"Karelia is about the same size as the state of Tennessee, but they only have a little over 700,000 people," said Paul Degges, TDOT Chief Engineer.
The Prime Minister of Karelia is among those who asked questions and found out about new research.
"We are very satisfied and pleased and impressed with the technology that you are using for your bridges and road construction," said Prime Minister Pavel Chernov, through an interpreter.
It's not all work.
"We really like your cities, and we really like the state entirely. Also we feel a little jealous, because you have a nice warm climate here," said Chernov.
The visitors are used to cold weather. A TDOT delegation experienced it firsthand last Labor Day, when Karelia hosted them.
"With a much colder climate, their snow and ice removal techniques to some extent are probably superior to ours," said Degges.
The Karelian delegation will take home postcards and pictures and a wealth of new information about building better bridges on roads and with Tennesseans.
"We're really grateful to our hosts, and we welcome them again to visit us in Karelia," said Chernov.
The Federal Highway Administration and the Russian agency RADOR co-sponsor the exchange program.
