Phase 1 Bagayevsky hydraulic complex nears completion

Implementation of the first (preparatory) phase of Bagayevsky hydraulic complex installed by JSC Stroytransgaz in the Rostov Region is nearing completion.

The Bagayevsky hydraulic complex has been included in the Federal Project Inland Waterways, which is a part of the Comprehensive Plan for Modernization and Expansion of Trunk Infrastructure. It represents the most important infrastructure project in the Rostov Region. The construction of the hydraulic complex is targeting at resolving both navigation issues in the Volga-Don Canal and water supply issues in the Rostov and Volgograd Regions. Safe navigation conditions will be created, and large vessels will be able to pass freely on the Lower Don.

The hydraulic complex is constructed in two phases, preparatory and main. JSC STG perform preparatory phase works. The STG scope of construction work includes a bypass channel which will enable to transfer the navigable channel for the period of works (the bypass channel will be dredged to a depth of 4 m, with dredging volume of approximately 1.4 million cubic meters), a construction yard jetty (with dredging volume of approximately 300,000 cubic meters), electrical transmission lines for power supply of construction camp, and reclaimed areas to accommodate administrative buildings and installations of the future complex.

Photographic report (construction progress in 2019)

Construction yard jetty

Construction yard jetty (March 2019)

Construction yard jetty (November 2019)

The yard jetty construction works are completed. Steel structures have been erected, sheet piling* (693 ea) sunk, and jetty backfilled using dredged sand. The jetty has been covered with a layer of crushed stone; deformation control benchmarks and piezometers have been installed.

* Sheet piling – a metal section used to erect a fencing for reinforcement of slopes, trenches, engineering or hydraulic structures. It is effectively a strong artificial wall that prevents potential soil displacements.

** Deformation control benchmarks and piezometers are instruments that enable to monitor technical condition hydraulic and construction parts of installations and mechanical equipment.

The works are currently being handed over to Employer.

Bypass channel and reclamation of land for construction yard

As of today, the dredging of bypass channel sections has been completed; dredging of a section in front of the jetty is nearing completion. The dredged soil is delivered to the yard, and the riverbed in front of the jetty is reinforced using crushed stone and rock dumping. The bypass channel scope of works includes the onshore part of the island and shallows near the left bank.

Bypass channel (October 2019)

Bypass channel (November 2019)

6 suction dredges*** were used to install the bypass channel, of which 2 have a capacity of 500 m³/h. Dredging operations in this area have been complicated by working in navigation period, letting vessels pass on River Don, and a big dredge spoil transfer distance (over 1,500 m). The spoil is transferred using floating transfer lines, a steel transfer line onshore Arpachinsky Island (big), and also a pile support-mounted line at the Don crossing. This process is also nearing completion; almost the entire volume of sites (ca. 1.675 million cubic meters) has been filled for future installations.

*** floating continuous-action dredging and transporting installation. Designed for loosening of soil underwater and transporting dredged spoil (water-soil mixture) to disposal areas.

Construction yard site (March 2019)

The construction yard site is being graded to design elevations concurrently with the filling.

Construction yard site (December 2019)

Construction yard site (December 2019)

Production, utility and offsite area (PUO)

The PUO area has been graded to design elevations (7 to 9 meters depending on the initial grading level).

The grading works were performed by piling up the dredged soil by bulldozers, moving it layer by layer across the reclaimed area, and compacting it. Further on, a skimmer was used to cut excessive amounts of soil from the pile slopes and grade the ramp surface. A self-propelling rubber-tired compactor was used to perform grading and final compaction of the grade top.

PUO area (January 2019)

PUO area (October 2019)