How the Polotsk overpass is being built in Vitebsk and when to expect its opening

Approximately 300 workers and 70 units of equipment are involved daily in the construction of the transport interchange with a bridge over the railway tracks near the Polotsk market. The large-scale reinforced concrete structure is impressive in its size: all exits are already visible, sidewalks, tram tracks, and, of course, wide lanes for transport have taken shape. The project manager, Mikhail Kazurov, head of the technical supervision department of the state enterprise "Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Capital Construction Department," spoke about the construction progress.

On the bridge itself, workers are engaged in laying power supply networks for trams; monolithic slabs have already been installed under the rails. A new substation building is visible nearby, which will "power" the electric transport; only the equipment needs to be installed there.

Workers are constantly using a total station to measure elevation marks for the asphalt concrete pavement. The installation of beds for tram rails must be aligned to the millimeter, because on turns when entering the bridge from Kosmonavtov Street, the inner rail must be slightly lower than the outer one: this is necessary to counteract centrifugal force, so that the tram does not tip over at speed.

- A 4-5 centimeter leveling layer of concrete needs to be applied to the bridge, then a waterproofing layer will follow, then a protective layer, and only then will we proceed to lay two layers of asphalt concrete pavement, - Mikhail Kazurov shared his plans. - Previously, we were busy installing beams, now we have started a lot of "minor" work, so outsiders might think that there is not much left to complete, but this is not the case: there are still plenty of tasks.

Workers from Minsk Bridge Construction Department No. 2 are engaged in monolithic concreting of beams on the exits from the bridge to Lokomotivnaya Street.

- Our team consists of 30 people, we complete the assigned tasks according to the schedule, as the most important thing – the supply of materials – is uninterrupted. Our workers are also involved in equipping sidewalks, - said Roman Zalutsky, senior foreman of MSU Branch No. 2.

Similar work is also being carried out at the exit to Leningradskaya Street – directly to the Polotsk market. Representatives of Mogilev MSU No. 1 are working here.

Many specialists are also involved at the intersection of Leonov and Titov streets, where a gas pipeline is being laid according to a permanent scheme, electrical networks are being перекладка, outdoor lighting is being installed, and the construction of two tram stops with canopies is also planned. Because of this, builders have had to lay a detour.

- Work is carried out as before – on a shift basis. We have specialists from Vitebsk Construction Trust No. 9, Mechkolonna No. 43, Tiraspol PMK, Vitebsk DSK, UP "Vitebskgazstroy", - notes M. Kazurov.

However, it will not be long before the modern transport interchange with a bridge over the railway tracks near the Polotsk market is commissioned, with almost 70 percent of the work completed. In some sections, employees of Zelkhoz have already begun preparing topsoil for sowing lawn grasses, and on future parking lots, designed for 300 parking spaces, the lower layers of asphalt are already being laid.

"Vitbichi".