The Lower Terrace of the Volgograd Central Embankment will Have a new Look

With each passing day, the Central Embankment of Volgograd under reconstruction by Stroytransgaz looks more and more like the landmark project that the residents of the city used to see in a virtual format only. “The project is at the level of high readiness and one can already see how the design solutions look in real life,” said Vitaly Likhachev, Head of Volgograd, who inspected the construction site at the end of July.

The historical part of the new parkland area to the north of the amphitheatre, where BK-31 is located, has been completed by now. All work has been finished here, including landscaping, outdoor furniture has been installed, and a cascade fountain has been built. Moreover, some public events are already held on this territory. For example, this year it has become the main venue for the Dictation of Victory.

The lower part of the central staircase is also at the level of high readiness: new granite steps have been laid, the specialists only need to change the granite on the staircases and clad the curbstones. The embankment has got another new and rather sophisticated structure – a modern pedestrian bridge will connect the walking area on the upper terrace with the amphitheatre.

“Within the next two weeks, we plan to complete the installation of metal structures for the bridge. Next, we will remove all traffic restrictions for vehicles. Then, we have to lay paving stones, install railings, paint the supports and bridge spans,” said Aleksandr Stolnikov, director of the reconstruction project for the lower terrace of the central embankment at JSC Stroytransgaz. “Currently, about 80 people and more than 10 specialty vehicles are engaged in the embankment reconstruction. In the near future, we plan to increase the headcount of employees at the main facility – the amphitheatre – and deliver a second set of formwork to accelerate monolithic works. I estimate the readiness of the entire facility at 75 percent. The entire lower terrace will be commissioned, according to the municipal contract, by the end of the year.”

Reconstruction of the central embankment lower terrace started in 2019. At the first stage, utility systems were laid and asphalt coating was completed at the lower and middle levels, 187 lighting poles were installed. More that 10 thousand trees and shrubs suitable for Volgograd climate are almost completely planted in the new parkland area. Green planting management includes 45 irrigation zones: more than 10 kilometers of irrigation water supply, as well as about 9 kilometers of a drip irrigation system. The construction of four fountains is in the final stage: at present, the builders have assembled all utility systems and cladded hydraulic structures with granite. Everything is ready for equipment installation. Besides, specialists have equipped two parking areas with a total capacity of 214 vehicles.

A large-scale renovation of the central embankment has been undertaken for the first time since its construction. Reconstruction of the coastal area in the Central District of Volgograd was started with the installation of engineering structures for bank protection, followed by the construction of the Zero Longitudinal Highway. These activities laid the basis for the further development of the 62nd Army Embankment. In particular, during the reconstruction of the embankment, the Iskustvo (the Arts) fountain on the upper terrace was reconstructed. A reflection basin with a bridge, a flat fountain, a skate park, a new lawn and 13 thousand plants have appeared in the parkland area. The contractor has restored the propylaea, rotunda, central staircase, and 28 small staircases.

The landscaped lower terrace of the 62nd Army Embankment will become part of a unified recreational zone along the Volga bank – from the Mamayev Kurgan to the Floodplain of the Tsaritsa River. It already includes the territory near the Volgograd Arena stadium (built by JSC Stroytransgaz for the 2018 World Cup), Victory Park, the updated upper terrace of the city embankment, and a park near the Russia. My History museum, a garden square near the Gasitel fire boat, Pushkin garden square, and Pakhmutova garden square.