NPS has prepared Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge for navigation
Natsproektstroy has ensured that Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge is ready for large vessels to pass along the Neva River to begin navigation. Alexander Beglov, the Governor of St. Petersburg, and Igor Rudenya, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the North-Western Federal District, made sure of this today during an inspection of the bridge crossing.
29 April 2026
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"I say with confidence that the bridge is ready for unhindered navigation of large vessels along the Neva River. The first vessel has already passed under the raised wings. The builders are working ahead of schedule. Next year, we plan to start service along the new crossing. The support of Russian President Vladimir Putin helps us successfully accomplish such a challenging task," the governor noted.
The drawbridge raises the 'wings' for passing vessels by 72 degrees with the help of 8 hydraulic cylinders mounted on the fifth and sixth pillars of the bridge. In the collapsed position, the height of the central part of Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge above the water is 15 metres. The width of the navigable span is 60 metres, which will enable regular passage of vessels with 66.2-meter distance between the axes of the 'wings'.
Currently, the specialists of NPS Roads and Bridges are finishing concreting staff premises on the pillars and have begun to dismantle temporary structures and devices.
The bridge will have six traffic lanes and two lanes for trams, pedestrian and bicycle paths. NPS will also build interchanges at the approaches to the bridge with Obukhovskaya Oborona Avenue, Oktyabrskaya Embankment and at the intersection of Far Eastern Avenue with Kollontai Street.
The drawbridge raises the 'wings' for passing vessels by 72 degrees with the help of 8 hydraulic cylinders mounted on the fifth and sixth pillars of the bridge. In the collapsed position, the height of the central part of Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge above the water is 15 metres. The width of the navigable span is 60 metres, which will enable regular passage of vessels with 66.2-meter distance between the axes of the 'wings'.
Currently, the specialists of NPS Roads and Bridges are finishing concreting staff premises on the pillars and have begun to dismantle temporary structures and devices.
The bridge will have six traffic lanes and two lanes for trams, pedestrian and bicycle paths. NPS will also build interchanges at the approaches to the bridge with Obukhovskaya Oborona Avenue, Oktyabrskaya Embankment and at the intersection of Far Eastern Avenue with Kollontai Street.
