'Nizhny Novgorod Stadium' crossed the equator

Impossible to Overlook Nizhny Novgorod Stadium grew up rather rapidly: not that long ago, it seemed to be invisible behind the blue fence, and today one can witness the erection of the last, fifth, level of the site for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Scope of Construction 

PJSC Stroytransgaz acts as the general contractor of the construction project. The office of Sergey Pichushkin, the large-scale construction supervisor, is located in the headquarters directly at the construction site. The two-storey building is quite comfortable inside and is designed to operate under any weather conditions. Construction schedules and plans of the future stadium hang on the walls, and a helmet and a vest on the rack. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the construction site. 

“It seems that we started not that long ago, but now, when I am standing on the upper tier of grandstands, I see very clearly how the stadium will look. It already has its character and powerful energy. The scale of the stadium is, certainly, amazing,” Mr. Pichushkin said. 

If one estimates the whole scope of work, about a half of the facility has been already built. In terms of the time allocated for the arena construction, the Stroytransgaz team has just crossed the “equator”. Near 1600 people are working here.

“There are many Nizhny Novgorod citizens among our employees,” Sergey Pichushkin said. “They are real professionals, i. e. competent, skilled, and result-oriented. We do not suffer a shortage of personnel as salaries of those working at the construction site are decent. In addition, everyone understands that the CV line “involvement in the construction of the stadium for 2018 FIFA World Cup” is highly valued, therefore only the best people take part in the project.”

Scope of Works

To the question as to how difficult it is to erect the stadium structure, Sergey Pichushkin replied that difficulties do not exist for the builders who went through the Soviet training. 

“Only those issues arise that can be solved in the regular course of business,” Mr. Pichushkin declared with the Olympian calm. 

Meanwhile, the stadium for 45,000 spectators is a really complex construction project. STG JSC will install over 12 thousand tonnes of basic metal structures that will support the stadium facade and roof. By now, over 120 thousand cubic meters of concrete has been laid, and the completion of these activities is planned before the end of 2016. The stadium also awaits the installation of more than 35 engineering utilities, including water supply and sewage, external and internal power supply, sport and special lighting, lightning protection and grounding, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, fire safety systems etc.

The stadium roof will rest on 88 triangular and 44 round columns. Each column will bear a significant load, the total weight of all metal structures of the stadium being about 12 thousand tonnes. Only the hardest concrete (grades B-35 and B-40) will be used to manufacture support columns. 

“We must complete the stadium roof before the end of 2016, then we will install the roof coating of translucent polycarbonate, and after that we will proceed to the field arrangements,” Sergey Pichushkin said. “We will use powerful lifting cranes to install basic metal structures. One of them lifts up to 750 tonnes of weight (you can literally count such high-capacity cranes in Russia on one hand), two other cranes feature the capacity of 450 tonnes each. These heavy-duty machines can move only on the concrete slab coating that covers the future football field for the time being.”

In spring, STG experts will start arranging the football field in accordance with all the FIFA requirements. 

“We will use new technology to arrange the field. We will stitch it with a special synthetic yarn. Over time, plant roots will be entwined with the artificial yarn, which will increase the lawn strength,” Mr. Pichushkin explained. “We will equip the field with a subsoil aeration system, which will help it to go dry instantaneously, even if it starts raining during the match. Furthermore, the project contemplates heating, which will allow holding matches in all seasons.”

By the way, seats on grandstands will be positioned in the way that allows each spectator to see the field itself and not the person sitting in front of him/her; the visibility is promised to be perfect.

Safety and Comfort

“How long will people have to wait before they can enter the stadium?” I asked.

“This is an important thing in terms of spectators safety. The stadium will feature 18 entrance elements in the perimeter; the examination procedure will be quick. We are already building points of access,” Sergey Pichushkin answered.

Flows of guests in the stadium must be divided depending on whether people walk or drive, and the category of visitors (sportsmen, spectators etc.). Spectators will climb the pedestrian overpass (the sidewalk at the height of 7 to 8 meters), then proceed to the lobby of their sector and from there will head for the upper grandstands using either internal stairs or one of 44 elevators. 

“The stadium will be fully accessible to disabled people,” Sergey Pichushkin noted. “A person in a wheelchair will be able to go through all examination stages, then reach the stadium and go to its box on his/her own, without exterior help. He/she will be able to overcome any slight obstacles in his/her way using the equipment installed specifically for convenience of people with impaired mobility.

The builders plan to commission Nizhny Novgorod Stadium not later than December 2017 in accordance with the contract. And in summer 2018, the stadium will host group and knockout matches of the Football World Cup.