How is the repair of the Metallist overpass in Vitebsk progressing
90 meters is the length of one of the oldest overpasses in Vitebsk - the Metallistov overpass. To be precise, it's 86 meters, plus approaches from both sides - from Nekrasov and Zenkovaya streets. The capital repair of the bridge began exactly according to plan on December 11, 2023. It was on that day that we broadcast our last report from this corner of the Zheleznodorozhny district. Since then, the overpass has been closed to all traffic - pedestrian and vehicular.
Now the overpass has become a work site for the team of the main contractor - the branch "Bridge Construction Department No. 5" of OJSC "Mostostroy". Subcontractors are also involved as needed; people of various professions work here - fitters, concrete workers, carpenters, electricians, crane operators, forklift operators. "Dressing" such a complex structure in new clothes is not an easy, nor an inexpensive task.
The cost of the facility in accordance with the design and estimate documentation exceeds 8.2 million rubles. A significant portion of these funds has been utilized by the bridge builders over four months.Recall that OJSC "Mostostroy" is one of the largest contractors not only in Belarus. Builders from this team participated in the construction of the bridge over the Berezina River in Borisov, two overpasses in Slutsk, a transport interchange on the M1 highway near Moscow, and in the reconstruction of the bridge over the Western Dvina River in Polotsk. It was the bridge builders of branch No. 5 who put into operation one of the team's major recent projects ahead of schedule (in 20 months) – the "Polotsky" overpass.
By the way, the initially scheduled launch date for the Metallistov overpass was November of this year, but today the facility's passport indicates September. There are reasons to believe that the bridge builders will complete the scope of work by this time. We became convinced of this during our visit to the site.
Currently, a team of 13 people led by foreman Dmitry Voytekhovsky is on duty. Dmitry is not new to this; he has worked on construction sites in Polotsk and Verkhnedvinsk districts. He notes that the pace of reconstruction on the Metallistov overpass is currently normal. There are no interruptions in material supply, and all issues are resolved in a working manner. The most difficult period, naturally, was winter. However, conditions for rest were created for the workers; heating equipment, a microwave, and an electric kettle were installed in the break room.
— Of course, a large volume of work was associated with dismantling, — the foreman shared. — It all started with clearing; the builders freed the bridge from old metal, various worn-out parts, and structures. Scrap metal disposal continues. We dismantled the loosened reinforced concrete in the sidewalk section, and as we proceed, we continue to remove unnecessary structures and elements. Some of them were indeed already worn out, so the repair turned out to be timely. We are working in close coordination with the designers.
And not only that. A specific feature of this overpass, as is known, is its proximity to the railway station, with railway tracks passing underneath it, and the movement of freight and passenger trains.compositions is intensive and does not stop for a minute. Bridge builders must take into account the train schedule.
— We are provided with a signalman specialist who is with us as needed, — said Dmitry Voitsekhovsky about the interaction with the Vitebsk branch of the Belarusian Railway. — We submit an application when certain types of work need to be carried out and all safety measures are observed. For example, this was the case during the repair of the second and third bridge supports, the dismantling of structures, when part of the concrete and asphalt fell, and our people were below, promptly removing debris from the tracks. The signalman requested from the dispatcher how much time we could count on and gave us a signal so that we could finish before the trains passed.
It can be said that half the way is practically done, four months of intensive work are behind us. What has been done during this time?
— To date, the repair and strengthening of the fourth, third, and second supports have been completed, and we are finishing the repair of the first one, — said Dmitry Voitsekhovsky. — The repair of facade blocks has been completed, transition slabs have been poured, and the foundation for the railing on the Nekrasova Street side, which will be on the approaches to the bridge, is being constructed. Previously, it was reinforced concrete, we dismantled it and will install a metal one instead. New lighting and corresponding supports will also be installed on the reconstructed overpass.
It should be noted that the bridge parameters will not change, the dimensions of the sidewalks and the roadway will remain the same, but the concrete surface and new asphalt will be more durable and long-lasting. The use of new technologies, in particular, special polypropylene blocks, will change and modernize the facade of the overpass.
"VITEBICHY"
Now the overpass has become a work site for the team of the main contractor - the branch "Bridge Construction Department No. 5" of OJSC "Mostostroy". Subcontractors are also involved as needed; people of various professions work here - fitters, concrete workers, carpenters, electricians, crane operators, forklift operators. "Dressing" such a complex structure in new clothes is not an easy, nor an inexpensive task.
The cost of the facility in accordance with the design and estimate documentation exceeds 8.2 million rubles. A significant portion of these funds has been utilized by the bridge builders over four months.Recall that OJSC "Mostostroy" is one of the largest contractors not only in Belarus. Builders from this team participated in the construction of the bridge over the Berezina River in Borisov, two overpasses in Slutsk, a transport interchange on the M1 highway near Moscow, and in the reconstruction of the bridge over the Western Dvina River in Polotsk. It was the bridge builders of branch No. 5 who put into operation one of the team's major recent projects ahead of schedule (in 20 months) – the "Polotsky" overpass.
By the way, the initially scheduled launch date for the Metallistov overpass was November of this year, but today the facility's passport indicates September. There are reasons to believe that the bridge builders will complete the scope of work by this time. We became convinced of this during our visit to the site.
Currently, a team of 13 people led by foreman Dmitry Voytekhovsky is on duty. Dmitry is not new to this; he has worked on construction sites in Polotsk and Verkhnedvinsk districts. He notes that the pace of reconstruction on the Metallistov overpass is currently normal. There are no interruptions in material supply, and all issues are resolved in a working manner. The most difficult period, naturally, was winter. However, conditions for rest were created for the workers; heating equipment, a microwave, and an electric kettle were installed in the break room.
— Of course, a large volume of work was associated with dismantling, — the foreman shared. — It all started with clearing; the builders freed the bridge from old metal, various worn-out parts, and structures. Scrap metal disposal continues. We dismantled the loosened reinforced concrete in the sidewalk section, and as we proceed, we continue to remove unnecessary structures and elements. Some of them were indeed already worn out, so the repair turned out to be timely. We are working in close coordination with the designers.
And not only that. A specific feature of this overpass, as is known, is its proximity to the railway station, with railway tracks passing underneath it, and the movement of freight and passenger trains.compositions is intensive and does not stop for a minute. Bridge builders must take into account the train schedule.
— We are provided with a signalman specialist who is with us as needed, — said Dmitry Voitsekhovsky about the interaction with the Vitebsk branch of the Belarusian Railway. — We submit an application when certain types of work need to be carried out and all safety measures are observed. For example, this was the case during the repair of the second and third bridge supports, the dismantling of structures, when part of the concrete and asphalt fell, and our people were below, promptly removing debris from the tracks. The signalman requested from the dispatcher how much time we could count on and gave us a signal so that we could finish before the trains passed.
It can be said that half the way is practically done, four months of intensive work are behind us. What has been done during this time?
— To date, the repair and strengthening of the fourth, third, and second supports have been completed, and we are finishing the repair of the first one, — said Dmitry Voitsekhovsky. — The repair of facade blocks has been completed, transition slabs have been poured, and the foundation for the railing on the Nekrasova Street side, which will be on the approaches to the bridge, is being constructed. Previously, it was reinforced concrete, we dismantled it and will install a metal one instead. New lighting and corresponding supports will also be installed on the reconstructed overpass.
It should be noted that the bridge parameters will not change, the dimensions of the sidewalks and the roadway will remain the same, but the concrete surface and new asphalt will be more durable and long-lasting. The use of new technologies, in particular, special polypropylene blocks, will change and modernize the facade of the overpass.
"VITEBICHY"