Embankment reconstruction in Volgograd: assembly of steel structures for the pedestrian overpass superstructure has got underway

A new stage of construction of the pedestrian overpass at the reconstructed Central Embankment in Volgograd has been off and running – Stroytransgaz JSC proceeded with site assembly  of the spans of the future bridge, which will allow revelers to quickly and safely cross the Zero Longitudinal Highway.

The structure will be assembled from 36 large-sized corrosion resistant parts with a total weight of about 300 tons, made of extra strong low-alloy* steel. Two local industrial enterprises, the Krasny Oktyabr plant and VZBT, took part in the manufacture of steel structures.

*Low-alloy steels form a group of steels that exhibit better mechanical properties compared to conventional carbon steels. They contain small amounts of alloying elements.

The superstructure will be mounted on temporary supports, then, with the help of jacks, it will be lowered onto the main supports of the pedestrian overpass, which have already been erected by now. ​All supports are installed on a pre-arranged piled raft  foundation. Each of the octahedral columns is one meter thick. Depending on their location, supports are 4.5 - 6.3 meters in height - the highest are installed on both sides of the lateral road. They will ensure at least 5.5 meter bridge clearance for vehicles.

Supports of the future pedestrian bridge

The pedestrian bridge which creates the common viewing space with the top tier of the amphitheatre will also allow for viewers to see the actions on its stage comfortably. At the moment the builders carry out reinforcement and concrete pouring of the stands of the amphitheater.

A large-scale renovation of the Central Embankment has been undertaken for the first time since its construction back in 1952. 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, “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 park area.

The lower terrace of the embankment with an area of 16 hectares will be decorated with more than 10 thousand trees and shrubs suitable for Volgograd climate. Green planting management will include 45 irrigation zones: more than 10 kilometers of irrigation water supply, as well as about 9 kilometers of drip irrigation system.

Improvement of the lower deck of the embankment of the 62nd Army is a continuation of the works towards creation of a uniform recreation zone extending along the Volga bank from Mamaev Kurgan to the Tsaritsa river floodplain. It already includes the Volgograd Arena stadium, the Victory Park, the renewed upper terrace of the Central Embankment, the park near “Russia. My History" museum, a  garden square near the “Gasitel” fire boat , a Pushkin garden square, Tsaritsynsky park and a Pakhmutova garden square.