Bridge to Russky Island, the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. Five years of the Russian bridge: history, technology and myths about the Vladivostok construction site of the century Pylons of the bridge to the Russian island

As popular wisdom says, a person gets used to good things quickly. Today it is difficult to imagine that a year ago it was possible to get to Russky Island only by ferry. The trip took from 40 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the destination. Today, the journey has been reduced to 5-10 minutes, and all thanks to the implementation of a unique project - the construction of a cable-stayed bridge connecting Russky Island with the mainland.

How it all began

Although the idea of ​​creating a bridge to the Russky Island (or rather, the then cable car) across the Eastern Bosphorus was born in 1939, construction began only in 2008, and then by chance. Popular rumor says that Economy Minister German Gref with the former Governor of Primorye Sergei Darkin returned from the next summit in Kuala Lumpur. And, flying over the Russky Island, Gref dropped the phrase, they say, let the APEC Summit 2012 be held here! But how will the heads of state get there? Then they remembered about the project of the last century.

True or not, the bridge was built, and what a bridge! Describing it, we often have to use the word "most" - this is one of the world's largest cable-stayed bridges with the longest central span and cables, as well as the highest pylon. According to the "World Real Estate Portal", the bridge was recognized as the most significant architectural project in Russia in 2012.

Technical features

Bridge length - 1885.53 m
Central span length (from one pylon to another) - 1104 m
Underbridge clearance (free space under the bridge) - 70 m
Pylon height - 324 m
Longest cable - 579.83 m

Building by the whole world

The cable-stayed system was designed as part of the joint work of many of the best engineers in Russia and abroad. For example, the French company Freyssinet has developed a system of cables similar, as Rossiyskaya Gazeta accurately noted, to the strings of a giant harp - a harp for ocean winds.

For the first time in the world, a cable-stayed bridge was built in conditions of such temperature fluctuations, strong winds and a humid climate. As a result, thanks to special steel, the cables can withstand the temperature range from -40 to +40, and their service life is up to 100 years! The aerodynamic section of the superstructure makes the bridge resistant even to the squally wind for which Vladivostok is so famous.

First steps

A bridge was being built simultaneously from two parts of the land - from the Russian island and the mainland. On April 12, 2012, a historic event took place - the joining of panels in the center of the bridge. On July 2, construction equipment passed the bridge for the first time, then cyclists tested it, and on August 1, 2012, car traffic was officially opened.

A month later, the bridge was officially named: according to the results of the popular vote, it was christened the Russian Bridge.

For a year now, the bridge has been connecting Russky to the mainland. The trickle of curious motorists who come to take a look at the changed landscapes of the Russky Island gradually turned into a powerful stream. Among those plying to Russky and back, there are now FEFU students and employees, residents of the Russky Island and vacationers. And although the latter often leave behind mountains of garbage, and the former had problems with public transport until recently, the population of Vladivostok and its environs agree on one thing: the bridge is a blessing, and now no one understands how we used to live without it.

The Russian bridge in Vladivostok is cable-stayed and connects the Nazimov Peninsula and Cape Novosilsky on the Russian Island, separated by the Vostochny Bosphorus Strait. The bridge appeared in the framework of the APEC summit in 2012. The Russian bridge is a complex and unique object in the entire practice of bridge building in Russia and the world.

Building

The construction of the Russian bridge in Vladivostok began in September 2008, although the question of its construction arose at the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1939, the first draft was drawn up, in 1960 - the second. But both remained unfulfilled. It was only in 2008 that the final design of the cable-stayed bridge was approved.

During the construction of the bridge, different positions were expressed regarding the advisability of its appearance. Some said that the work was economically unjustified, since only five thousand people live on the Russky Island. Others insisted that the construction of a bridge to the Russky Island would be an impetus for the development of the island, the creation of large economic and cultural centers.

Description

The Russian bridge is one of the most grandiose in the world. One of the reasons for this is that the length of the bridge in Vladivostok on Russky Island – more than three kilometers. The roadbed of the structure is supported by diagonal cables. They, in turn, are attached to two pillars, each reaching a height of 324 meters.

The entire structure weighs 23 thousand tons. Its spans reach a kilometer. On top of the bridge, you can see the stretched cables painted in the color of the Russian flag. Lanterns are installed along the railing. At the descent from the bridge you can see the cannons - the remnants of the Novosiltsevskaya battery.

There are hidden staircases inside each pylon that lead to the observation decks, but they are only accessible to the staff watching the bridge, and only occasionally to photographers. A breathtaking view opens up from a 300-meter height: the endless Pacific Ocean and Vladivostok below in barely noticeable outlines

Technical features

The cable-stayed system of the bridge across the Eastern Bosphorus was designed by the best engineers in Russia and abroad. The cables consist of 13 to 85 parallel strands, each individually protected against corrosion. The casing is made of two layers: the inner one is made of dense polyethylene, the outer one is thinner.

The decorative shell has a spiral bead - it provides protection against vibrations generated by the simultaneous impact of rain and wind.

The Russian bridge was built in conditions of strong winds, a humid climate and sharp temperature changes. As a result, the cables, thanks to special steel, are able to withstand the temperature range from -40 to +40 degrees, and their service life is up to one hundred years. The aerodynamic section of the structure makes it resistant even to the squally wind, which often happens in Vladivostok.

Motion

The bridge to Russky Island allows residents to travel there for the weekend. The structure is designed for light vehicles and small trucks.

There are four lanes on the carriageway - two in both directions. Drivers, who find themselves at a height of 70 meters, are breathtaking from the water surface extending below and the shrouds hanging from above. Pedestrians are not allowed to enter the bridge.

Lighting

Lighting equipment for the bridge to Russky Island was completed in early 2013. The main task of the illumination is to create the illusion of a bridge floating in the air and emphasize at the same time its main elements - giant supports and cables, painted in the colors of the Russian flag.

The lighting equipment is fixed in such a way that it does not create difficulties during operation. Lighting not only illuminates the bridge, but also visibly transforms its appearance at night.

Bridge for tourists

Vladivostok, November 8 - AiF-Primorye. The bridge to the Russky Island in Vladivostok has been criticized from the very beginning of construction. Some experts questioned the feasibility of such a grandiose project. Another "fly in the ointment" was added by the analyst of the Center for Economic and Political Research (EPICenter) Alexei Mikhailov.

Why is it needed?

The cable-stayed bridge (like its Golden "brother", which connected the city center with Cape Churkin) to the Russky Island was built as part of Vladivostok's preparations for the APEC summit. The building is unique. Indeed, the Russian Bridge (this is its official name) has the world's largest span among cable-stayed bridges, 1104 meters long, and the first pylons in height - 324 meters.

Economist Mikhailov cites other impressive figures: the cost of the construction is about $ 1 billion. The same amount was spent on the access road (to the airport and the city).

“This cable-stayed bridge is actually very beautiful, soaring in the air with a central span of over 1 kilometer at a height of 70 meters, which is supported by two pylons 324 meters high. Probably, he is grandiose in engineering decisions. And it will certainly become now a new symbol of Vladivostok. But just ... why is it needed? ”- asks the expert.

The main argument "against the bridge" from the analyst is the same as that of many critics of the structure - it has a small bandwidth, and the island's population is too small for such costs.

“A bridge with a capacity of 50 thousand cars a day leads to a small island Russkiy with a population of 5 thousand people. And those mostly poor fishermen who live in barrack-type houses do not have cars, ”Mikhailov says.

In contrast to this criticism, the Vladivostok authorities have repeatedly stated that the bridge was built, among other things, for the development of the island, the program of which includes the construction of many large facilities and the creation of infrastructure for 150 thousand people.

The bridge "does not pay off"

“What's next with Fr. Russian? Now there are the same 5 thousand inhabitants without cars. In all honesty, was it really worth spending $ 2 billion to access the beaches by car? Can't you get there by ferry? After all, every two hours he walks and even transports cars, it’s not so expensive, ”the expert continues.

The development of tourism, the construction of new housing on the island is one thing. But perhaps the main argument in favor of the expediency of the bridge was the FEFU under construction on the same island. After all, it was planned that the united university would become the largest educational institution in the country and even in the world. Students from all over the planet will come to study there, and the best foreign teachers will teach. However, the contractor did not manage to finish building the FEFU buildings. And the great "resettlement plan" failed, and the students remained on the mainland, at least until the end of construction. Now only nonresident students live on the island, who every morning go to classes in the city.

To all this can be added the absolutely undeveloped road infrastructure of the island. After leaving the bridge, you find yourself on the real "Russian roads", having driven along which you must resort to car repair services. Therefore, most of the townspeople do not dare to go there. And taxi firms raise prices for trips to the island - up to 1,000 rubles from the center of Vladivostok.

Alexei Mikhailov compares the bridge to Russian with his “colleague” Golden Gate in San Francisco, USA. Only not in favor of the first.

“They are similar in their main characteristics. But the Golden Gate was built 75 years ago, is paid and actually allows 120 thousand cars a day. This bridge literally makes half a million dollars daily. And the Russian Bridge is free, and how much will it actually allow per day after the APEC summit is over? A couple of thousand cars? Or maybe a couple of hundred? ”, The expert writes.

However, it should be noted that neither the bridge builders nor the Primorye authorities share the economist's opinion.

“It will be a comfortable district of Vladivostok, very convenient for living. Children will be able to go to school here, then to the university - and there will be no need to travel anywhere. As for the other territory of the island, it is planned to leave it as a tourist and recreational zone, - considers Governor of Primorye Vladimir Miklushevsky... - Only the coast will be built up - we are talking about boarding houses and rest houses. Still, the nature of the island must be preserved as much as possible for posterity. "

“Take a look at any photograph, tourist avenue: if there is a bridge in the city, it will certainly be on them. The bridge is a kind of monument, an architectural decoration of the city, an achievement of its inhabitants. San Francisco - Golden Gate, New York - Brooklyn Bridge, Hong Kong - Stonecutter's Bridge - give his opinion Director of the Vladivostok branch of USK MOST OJSC Aleksey Baranov... - And one more indisputable advantage, purely practical. By connecting the mainland with the Russky Island, the bridge opened up new development prospects. Many cities in Russia, including Vladivostok, suffer from heterogeneity of style: in different periods, under different governments and cultures, they were built differently and did not always care about compatibility. And the facade of the city should be planned in an amicable way once and for all, only then it will be beautiful. Of course, the city cannot afford to rebuild the existing quarters. But in Russkoye there is a chance to start with a clean slate, eventually getting a large and harmoniously built up area, very promising for development. "

by the way

The question of building a bridge to Russky Island was raised in the first half of the 20th century. The first project was completed in 1939, the second in the 1960s. However, neither one nor the other was implemented. In early October 2007, NPO Mostovik won a tender for the design of a bridge crossing to Russky Island. The contractor was USK MOST OJSC. The construction of the bridge began in 2008, on July 1, 2012, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev opened the bridge to workers, and a month later, on August 1, the bridge was also opened for personal transport.

Well, finally, the opening of the bridge to the Russky Island took place. The bridge, to which the right to be called the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world has passed. And, of course, I am especially proud of the fact that it was built not somewhere, in China or the USA, but in Russia, more precisely in Vladivostok.

Immediately, in order to avoid "misunderstandings", I would like to remind you that the length of cable-stayed and suspension bridges is calculated according to the central span, and not according to the total length of the bridge. That is why the bridge to the Russky Island has every right to be called the longest. The distance between its pylons is 1104 meters. The previous record, 1,088 meters, was held by the Chinese Sutong Bridge. But in terms of its total length, the bridge to the Russky Island is inferior to many cable-stayed bridges, its indicators here are 3100 meters. For example, at the same Sutun, the total length is more than 8 kilometers. But this is not so important anymore.

After the development of the investment project "Development of the Russian Island", according to which industrial complexes in the field of bio- and information technologies, research institutes, a university, a large medical center, residential and hotel complexes, an international business center and much more will be erected on this island to attract big business and tourists here. The need to build a bridge connecting the island with Vladivostok became obvious. And in 2008, construction began. At first, there were many doubts, is it possible at all to build a bridge across the Eastern Bosphorus? After all, the weather conditions here are very unfavorable (in winter the thickness of the ice in the strait can reach 70 cm), in addition to this, the future bridge must withstand heavy winds and be earthquake-resistant, but in the end, design solutions were found that helped to make the project a reality.

The digital indicators of this superstructure are as follows. The depth of the piles under the supports is up to 77 meters. The height of the pylons is 324 meters (the same as that of the Eiffel Tower).

The height of the roadway above sea level is 70 meters.

The width of the bridge is 29.5 meters (4 lanes for road transport, two in each direction, plus footpaths). The total weight of the bridge is 23 thousand tons.

The technical opening of the facility took place on July 2, 2012. On July 28, a bike ride was organized across the bridge. And on August 1, 2012, the opening of traffic for all transport took place.

Perhaps the only drawback of the bridge to the Russky Island is its high cost. According to various estimates, its construction cost from 1 to 1.5 billion dollars. However, given the weather conditions in which it was built and will function, this amount is understandable.

A few more photos of the bridge to Russky Island:

The construction of the bridge to the Russky Island is carried out within the framework of the subprogram "Development of the city of Vladivostok as a center of international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region."

The bridge to the Russky Island will be one of the largest cable-stayed bridges in the world, the central span of which is 1104 m long, which will become a record in the world practice of bridge construction.
This bridge will have both the tallest pylon and the longest cables.

Bridge parameters: