More than 370 kilometres of additional roads have had to be built for next year's Winter Games, with sections of the main highways to be marked with Olympics-only signs – similar to those present at London 2012 (pictured top) and Beijing 2008.

The lanes will appear on the coast-to-mountain road that connects the Olympic Park Coastal Cluster with the Mountain Cluster venues, as well as all routes around Adler train station, which serves the Olympic Park.

It is unclear if they will stretch some 10km northwest into downtown Sochi.

"Only accredited transport will be able to travel in the Olympic lanes," Andrei Zhukov, who is responsible for transport at Sochi 2014, said.

He added that drivers who breach the rules will face penalties of between $160 (£104/€122) and $320 (£208/€244).

Gridlock along Sochi's narrow roads was one of the main concerns that Russia overcame to win 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic hosting rights over Salzburg and Pyeongchang.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]