The first raising of the Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge has begun
The specialists of Roads and Bridges JSC of Natsproektstroy have started the final stage of commissioning and the first raising of the Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge. Specialists from Mostootryad-99, Mostootryad-90, Mostootryad-22 (branches of Roads and Bridges JSC) and contractors are involved in the construction of the artificial structure.
3 April 2026
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Before the first raising of the bridge, the builders did a great deal of work¬ – they installed 4 hydraulic cylinders (8 in total) on 5 and 6 supports and all the elements of the counterweight system, and mounted a double-swing draw span.
According to the plan, the 'swings' of the draw span of the structure should rise and fall in stages, starting from 5 degrees, followed by an increase in the angle of rotation up to the design one. On the first day of work, the raising angle was brought to 50°.
After reaching the raising angle of 72° and completing all necessary tests, the moving parts of the superstructure will be fixed in the raised position for up to a month. This will enable unhindered passage of large vessels along the Neva River and dismantling of temporary structures.
In the collapsed position, the height of the central part of the of the Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge above the water is 15 metres and the width of the navigable span is 60 metres. This is the largest navigable span among all the span crossings of St. Petersburg with two 'swings'. It will allow small vessels to navigate without raising the bridge.
According to the plan, the 'swings' of the draw span of the structure should rise and fall in stages, starting from 5 degrees, followed by an increase in the angle of rotation up to the design one. On the first day of work, the raising angle was brought to 50°.
After reaching the raising angle of 72° and completing all necessary tests, the moving parts of the superstructure will be fixed in the raised position for up to a month. This will enable unhindered passage of large vessels along the Neva River and dismantling of temporary structures.
In the collapsed position, the height of the central part of the of the Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge above the water is 15 metres and the width of the navigable span is 60 metres. This is the largest navigable span among all the span crossings of St. Petersburg with two 'swings'. It will allow small vessels to navigate without raising the bridge.
