1965 tanks test of the Alexander Nevsky bridge. The Alexander Nevsky Bridge is the longest drawbridge. On a competition basis

The bridge is named after the patron saint of St. Petersburg and the defender Ancient Rus, as well as, the continuation of which it is, and the area located next to it. There was no crossing at this place before, but the town-planning plan provided for its construction for a long time.

Barely rebuilt after the war, Leningrad begins to expand in breadth, and on Okhta, instead of the Petrovsky gunpowder warehouses, residential quarters are being designed. Built in 1911 (which also leads to Okhta) is getting more busy. To solve transport problems, it was necessary to build another bridge.

In 1959, the project of a new bridge was approved and construction began the following year. For the first time in the domestic bridge building, a technology was used in which hollow reinforced concrete structural elements were pulled together by steel cables (shrouds) inside, and the tension of which was adjusted taking into account the temperature. The use of unique fittings made the spans longer, thus reducing their number, and the hydraulic drive increased the reliability of the wiring system, while simplifying its maintenance.

In the fall of 1965, on the eve of the celebration of the anniversary of the Great October Revolution, construction work was completed. A tank column solemnly opened traffic on the bridge, checking its reliability.

Subsequently, it turned out that the original design ideas were ahead of the material base, there were not enough high-quality materials available, which is why, using advanced technology, serious miscalculations could not be avoided.

We barely had time to start operating the bridge when the rusted cables began to burst. At first, the destruction of the bridge was barely noticeable, the traffic moving along it seemed to be in no danger. But in the early 80s, a 700-ton counterweight fell into the water, which still rests at the bottom of the Neva. A decision followed to close the crossing for repairs.

At the beginning of the current millennium, overhaul with a complete reconstruction of the drawbridge. During the work, all waterproofing and more than ten kilometers of cables were replaced.

The structure holds the record for the length and height among the drawbridges of St. Petersburg: seven reinforced concrete channel spans end on the shore with ramps, and according to the latest data from St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution Mostotrest, the bridge is 907.7 meters long and 35.8 meters wide with the height of the middle drawbridge. - 11 meters.

In its strict, utilitarian style, the bridge is not at all similar to the historical bridges of the city center, but it fits perfectly into the development of an industrial area.

The Alexander Nevsky Bridge connects the right-bank district of St. Petersburg with the city center. Here, along the left bank of the Neva, lies the border of the historical center of St. Petersburg.

The bridge is a seven-span reinforced concrete structure with a drawbridge in the middle and ramps on both banks. This is the longest of the drawbridges within the boundaries of St. Petersburg. Its length is 629 meters, and together with the coastal structures - 907.7 meters.

The Alexander Nevsky Bridge is the highest bridge across the Neva within the city. The drawbridge is 11 meters high and 50 meters wide. The distribution is carried out by means of a hydraulic drive. Two wings rise in just two minutes.

The swing span structure consists of four main beams in cross-section, in the closed state it is a cantilever beam. Permanent spans are covered with continuous beams with a rigid termination on an intermediate support. Steel cables (cables) d = 70 mm were used as truss reinforcement. The cables, together with the electric cables, penetrate the entire bridge through special through openings. This is the only crossing in St. Petersburg where such fittings are used.

The sidewalk on permanent spans and ramps is separated from the roadway by a granite curb, and on a drawbridge - by a metal one.

Along the perimeter of the crossing, 760 LED floodlights are installed, aimed at 110-meter reinforced concrete spans. The power of the equipment is 51.7 kW.

The history of the bridge

The crossing in this very place of the Neva was planned back in the 30s of the XX century, but only by the end of the 1950s, mass housing construction began on the right bank of the river. Leningrad, already rebuilt after the war, grew rapidly in breadth: residential quarters appeared on Okhta, new districts were being designed on the site of Peter's powder depots, in the Piskarevka, Polyustrovo, and Rzhevka areas.

The city needed a new bridge across the Neva to solve transport problems. The construction of the crossing was called by the authorities of Leningrad "an urban planning task of special importance."

In 1959, the Leningrad City Executive Committee announced a closed competition for projects. The most famous Leningrad and Moscow organizations took part in the creative competition. Some projects turned out to be too expensive, others did not fit into the existing development, and still others raised doubts from a technical point of view. As a result, the jury did not award the first prize to anyone, and the second place went to the work of the Lengiprotransmost institute. According to this project, the Alexander Nevsky Bridge was built.

The authors of the project are chief engineer A.S. Evdonin, engineers K.L. Klochkov, G.M. Stepanov, architects A.V. Zhuk, S.G. Mayofis, Yu.I. Tit. This was a new word in bridge construction, many of the ideas of the designers of the Alexander Nevsky Bridge will then be further developed.

For the first time in the USSR, when creating a ferry, cables were used - steel cables. They were hidden by the structure (in modern projects the shrouds are taken out). The cables of the Alexander Nevsky Bridge have a diameter of 70 mm and are made of alloy steel. The tension of the cables is adjusted depending on the ambient temperature - in cold weather the tension is loosened, in the heat they are tightened with the help of special winches.

For the first time, reinforced concrete shells for river supports were installed at a depth of 35 meters. The design of V-shaped spans was also new for Soviet bridge building. They were cast on the shore and then installed above the water. The total weight of each structure is over 5000 tons. And finally, a rare case for the USSR - the non-working space inside the bridge ramps was used to accommodate a parking lot for 230 cars.

Until recently, the bridge remained the longest in the city on the Neva. And only in December 2004, the Bolshoi Obukhovsky cable-stayed bridge, which opened on the border of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, took over the palm (its total length is 2884 meters).

The construction turned out to be harmonious, proportional, very large parts of the bridge do not seem heavy. Experts note the clarity of its constructive scheme, laconicism and restrained emotionality. The bridge fits perfectly into urban environment, does not rise above the historical buildings on the left bank of the Neva. In addition, with the opening of the crossing, transport interchanges were resolved on both banks of the river.

During the construction period, the bridge was called Staronevsky, and even before its opening - on May 15, 1965, it was given its current name - Alexander Nevsky Bridge in honor of the great Russian commander and patron saint of the city.

On November 1, 1965, a column of heavy tanks crossed the bridge - these were industrial tests for the strength of the structure. The grand opening, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the October Revolution, took place on November 5: automobile, tram and pedestrian traffic opened across the bridge.

Despite the fact that the bridge was built using advanced technologies, its quality was far from ideal. The waterproofing was made of glass wool, and it gradually began to dissolve in bitumen. The cables began to rust quickly, and within two years after operation, 56 of them burst. The bridge continued to collapse, while the load on it steadily increased. In 1982, due to structural wear, one of the bridge counterweights, weighing 700 tons, collapsed into the water. The bridge was closed to traffic and ferry services were established. The crossing was repaired by replacing the counterweight and reopened to traffic.

In 2000, the bridge was closed for major repairs. The reconstruction of the crossing was carried out from December 10, 2000 to April 2001. During the repair, 12 kilometers of cables and all waterproofing were replaced. In 2003, for the anniversary of St. Petersburg, the bridge was illuminated with 500 lamps and 8 floodlights.

Additional Information

Currently, within the framework of the city infrastructure project "Transport bypass of the center" (TOC), a junction is being built at the Alexander Nevsky bridge - at the intersection of Obukhovskaya oborony avenue and Obvodny canal. An overpass, a tunnel and a pedestrian crossing will be built near the embankment. This junction will provide unimpeded traffic to the Obvodny Canal.

The POC will help to bring traffic flows from the center of St. Petersburg and redistribute them to other areas, which will significantly improve the transport situation in the historical center of the city.

Alexander Nevsky Bridge - Video

The construction of the bridge changed the appearance of not only the Sinopskaya and Malokhtinskaya embankments, but also several adjacent quarters of Nevsky Prospect. In parallel with the project of the bridge, projects of transport interchanges were developed, for the construction of which brick buildings of old warehouses and barns, as well as several residential buildings, were demolished. Now Nevsky Prospekt ends with Alexander Nevsky Square, the highway from which leads directly to the bridge, and then turns into Zanevsky Prospekt.

The Alexander Nevsky Bridge and adjacent interchanges were designed different groups architects and engineers. The latest technologies at that time were applied. Thus, the strength of the bridge was reinforced with shrouds - steel cables hidden in reinforced concrete structures. Their tension was adjusted depending on the ambient temperatures. To test the strength of the structure, a column of tanks was sent over it. The inauguration of the bridge was timed to coincide with the next anniversary of the October Revolution in 1965.

Until recently (the opening of the Bolshoi Obukhovsky Bridge in 2004), the Alexander Nevsky Bridge was considered the longest in the city. Its surface area is 629 meters, and together with coastal ramps - 905.7 meters. But this bridge has not completely lost its palm. Today it remains the longest among the drawbridges. The fifty-meter drawbridge opens in 2 minutes. The mechanism is driven by a hydraulic drive.

Walk across the bridge and surroundings

The Alexander Nevsky Bridge is one of the youngest bridges in St. Petersburg. The period when it was being built was not distinguished by an abundance of aesthetic delights, and only functionality came to the fore. Therefore, here you will not see intricate architectural forms, as, for example, at its closest neighbor - Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge. The views from the bridge and the adjacent embankments will be interesting and spectacular.

From the very bridge opens beautiful view to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra and the photogenic Bolsheokhtinsky bridge thanks to its towers. The Neva itself is also impressive in the area of ​​the bridge. The width of the powerful seething stream here reaches almost half a kilometer. Other significant sights of the Northern capital are located nearby:

• Alexander Nevsky Lavra;
• State Museum of Urban Sculpture;
• The cult site is the Necropolis of the 18th century.

You can read detailed information about them on the pages of our site.

Alexander Nevsky bridge

The Alexander Nevsky Bridge is the end point of the main thoroughfare of the city - Nevsky Prospect. We can say that old Petersburg ends here.
The other bank of the Neva is the quarters of the Stalin era of development, and even further away the sleeping areas of the city begin. If you do not turn off anywhere, in the end the road will lead to Vsevolozhsk.
The length of 629 meters, together with overpasses and ramps, the bridge crossing is 906 meters; The width of the bridge is 35 meters.

The bridge was erected (working name Staro-Nevsky) in 1960-1965. designed by engineers A. S. Evdonin, K. P. Kolchkov and G. M. Stepanov (architects A. V. Zhuk, Yu. I. Sinitsa). The bridge was tested using a column of army tanks. On November 5, 1965, the bridge was put into operation.
Seven-span (stationary side spans, including over embankments, are covered by two three-span continuous prestressed structures of a box-shaped section with a curvilinear outline of the lower belt), with an adjustable double-wing span in the center, reinforced concrete, with prestressed reinforcement. The construction uses cables - steel cables with a diameter of 70 mm, pulling together individual parts of the bridge. The 25-meter wings spread in just two minutes. The two-wing swing span is located in the center. The drive is hydraulic, first used on drawbridges in the city. The fences of the bridge, as well as its lanterns and supports of contact networks, are of a strict, modern character and go well with the general appearance structures. The lampposts, which simultaneously act as supports for trolleybus and tram electric lines, are made of tubular elements, and the fences are presented in the form of adjustable metal rods, which are completed by high handrails of somewhat weighted proportions. The embankments faced with granite and staircases to the water add to the overall picture of the Alexander Nevsky Bridge.

With the construction of the bridge, Alexander Nevsky Square also took on its present form; brick granaries and some residential buildings located on the banks of the river were demolished. However, during the construction, mistakes were made in technology. The waterproofing was worn out over time, and the tensioned steel ropes were actively corroded. By 1967, 56 cables snapped, and only trolleybus service passed across the bridge. The bridge continued to collapse until 1982, when a 700-ton left wing counterweight collapsed into the water. The bridge was closed and a ferry service was established. In the future, traffic on the bridge was restored, but key structural defects were not eliminated. In 2000-2001. the reconstruction of the bridge was carried out according to the project of engineer A. A. Zhurdin under the direction of engineer V. G. Pavlov. In 2002, the crossing was redecorated.


Until 2004 (the opening of the Bolshoi Obukhovsky (cable-stayed) bridge) was the longest bridge in the city.


The place for the bridge at the end of Nevsky Prospekt was left in the general plan of the city in the pre-war period. In contrast to Alexander Nevsky Square, Chelyuskintsev Square was left on the right bank of the Neva. This site remained as a large undeveloped area, but the name fell out of use. In the early 1950s, Alexander Nevsky Square received a modern design, and in 1952 construction of the Moscow Hotel began.


In 1959, the results of the competition for the project of a new bridge were announced. The winner was the project of a group of authors: chief engineer A. S. Evdonin, engineers K. P. Klochkov and G. M. Stepanov, architects A. V. Zhuk, Yu. I. Sinitsa.
The bridge was erected in 1960-1965, the working name of the bridge was Staro-Nevsky. When the bridge was almost ready in 1965, it officially received its modern name on May 15. Construction of the bridge continued throughout the summer of 1965, and by November (another anniversary of the October Revolution) it was ready to open. The test of the bridge was carried out on November 1 - a column of army tanks passed over the bridge. On November 5, 1965, the bridge was put into permanent operation.


With the construction of the bridge, Alexander Nevsky Square took on a modern look, with the completion of the hotel "Moscow" in 1964, the work was completed.
However, during the construction, mistakes were made in technology. The waterproofing was worn out over time, and the tensioned steel ropes were actively corroded. By 1967, 56 cables snapped, and only trolleybus service passed through the bridge. Due to the mismanagement of the city authorities, the bridge continued to collapse until 1982, when a 700-ton left wing counterweight collapsed into the water. The bridge was closed, ferry service was established. In the future, traffic on the bridge was restored, but key structural defects were not eliminated.
From December 10, 2000 to April 2001, the reconstruction of the bridge was carried out according to the project of JSC “Institute“ Stroyproekt ”. The project was developed by engineers T. Yu. Kuznetsova, A. G. Zlotnikov, Yu. Yu. Krylov. Work on replacing 12 kilometers of steel ropes and changing waterproofing was carried out according to the project of engineer A.A. Zhurdin. The project manager was engineer V.G. Pavlov.


In 2002, the crossing was redecorated.

The Alexander Nevsky Bridge connects the right-bank district of St. Petersburg with the city center. Its position between Zanevsky and Nevsky avenues was defined in the city's development plans in the first half of the 20th century. It became necessary for the development of the Malaya Okhta region and other adjacent territories. The bridge connected Malaya Okhta with Vasilievsky Island through the route of Nevsky Prospekt and the Palace Bridge.

Before the start of construction, the left bank of the Neva had significantly changed its appearance. Here Alexander Nevsky Square was created, for which the brick barns-granaries and some residential buildings located on the banks of the river were demolished.

Despite the established practice, several organizations were entrusted with the design of the bridge at once. In 1959, a closed competition was announced for solving an important urban planning problem, which was the construction of a bridge across the Neva from Alexander Nevsky Square. As a result, several projects were received, but none of them completely satisfied the jury. It was decided to allow two different organizations to finalize the designs of the bridge and transport interchanges. Engineer A.S. Evdonin supervised the design of the bridge, architects A.V. Zhuk, S.G. Mayofis and Yu.I. Sinitsa became the authors of the architectural part of the project. The authors of the project of approaches to the bridge and tunnels of traffic interchanges are the engineers of Lengiproinzhproekt Yu. P. Boyko, A. D. Gutsait, GS Osokina. Construction work began in 1960.

A number of new technologies were applied during the construction. For the first time, reinforced concrete shells for river supports were buried at a depth of 35 meters. For the first time in the construction of the crossing, cables were used - cables stretched in hollow reinforced concrete structures. The force of their tension is regulated by special devices, taking into account the air temperature. In hot weather, the tension weakens, in frost it increases. Another feature was the design of the spans. They were designed in the form of an extended V, which was placed on the river abutment. Collected them on the shore, total weight each such design amounted to over five thousand tons.

A parking lot for 230 cars was created inside the ramps of the Alexander Nevsky Bridge.

During the construction period, the bridge was called Staro-Nevsky. On May 15, 1965, it was given its present name - the Alexander Nevsky Bridge. On November 1, the bridge was tested for its strength by passing a group of battle tanks across it. The Alexander Nevsky Bridge was opened for traffic on November 5, 1965, to the 48th anniversary of the October Revolution.

Before the construction of the Bolshoi Obukhovsky Bridge, this crossing was the longest in the city. The length of the Alexander Nevsky Bridge was 629 meters, and together with the ramps - 905.7 meters. Its width is 35 meters. The hydraulic drive provides a 25-meter wing lift in two minutes.

Despite the fact that the bridge was built using advanced technologies, its quality was far from ideal. The waterproofing was made of glass wool, which began to dissolve in bitumen. The shrouds, oiled with cannon oil, began to rust quickly, and after 2 years after the start of operation, 56 of them burst. The bridge was not reconstructed at that time, and in 1987 a 17-ton drawbar counterweight collapsed in the Neva. Because of this, the townspeople had to cross the Neva for some time by steamer.

Overhaul of the adjustable and stationary parts of the ferry and the adjacent walls of the embankments was carried out from December 10, 2000 to April 2001. In the construction of the bridge, 12 kilometers of cables were replaced, all waterproofing. The work, supervised by engineer V. G. Pavlov, was carried out according to the project of engineer A. A. Zhurdin. In 2003, for the anniversary of St. Petersburg, the bridge was illuminated with 500 lamps and 8 floodlights.