Blagoveshchensky Bridge

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Blagoveshchensky Bridge
Blagoveshchensky Bridge
Carries	pedestrian and vehicular traffic
Crosses	Neva River
Locale	Saint Petersburg, Russia
Design	girder bridge with a bascule section
Total length	331 m
Width	37 m
Beginning date of construction	1843, 2006
Completion date	1850 August 15, 2007
Opening date	November 12, 1850
Coordinates	59°56′05″N 30°17′23″E / 59.934653, 30.289695Coordinates: 59°56′05″N 30°17′23″E / 59.934653, 30.289695

The Blagoveshchensky Bridge (Russian: Благовещенский мост, in 1855-1918 Nikolaevsky Bridge - Russian: Николаевский мост, in 1918-2007 Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge - Russian: Мост Лейте́нанта Шми́дта) is the first permanent bridge across the Neva River in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It connects Vasilievsky Island and the central part of the city (Admiralteysky Island). The bridge's length is 331 meters and the width is 24 meters. The bridge serves as a border between the Neva River and beginning of the Gulf of Finland. The original name of the bridge was Nevsky Bridge, later renamed to Blagoveshchensky Bridge, after the death of Tsar Nicholas I to Nikolaevsky Bridge in his honor, and in 1918 to Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge.

In 1727 a temporary bridge was built at the location of the modern bridge. The place was chosen by Menshikov whose palace is located at the opposite bank. This bridge, named Issakievsky, existed until the current bridge was built, at which time it was moved to the location of where Palace Bridge is located today.

The bridge was built in 1843-1850. It was designed by Stanisław Kierbedź, a Polish engineer working in Russia . The architect Alexander Brullov participated in the decoration. The construction was a cast iron bridge with a bascule section. At the time, it was the longest bridge in Europe. According to the legend, the Russian Tzar, Nicholas I promised to Kierbedź to give him a promotion for every completed flight. After the bridge was completed with eight flights total in it, Kierbedź was promoted to the rank of General, but actually when he started the construction he already had a rank of Podpolkovnik (i.e. lieutenant colonel).

The bridge was formally opened on November 12, 1850. Since it was close to Blagoveshchenskaya (Annunciation) Square, it was called Blagoveshchensky Bridge. In 1855 it was renamed Nikolayevsky Bridge in memory of Emperor Nicholas I. In 1918, after the revolution, it was renamed again, this time in memory of Pyotr Schmidt, a leader of the Sevastopol Uprising during the Russian Revolution of 1905. In August 2007, after reconstruction, it was renamed back to Blagoveshchensky Bridge.

[edit] 2006 - 2007 reconstruction

Temporary bridge next to dismantled Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge

In 2006 the reconstruction of the bridge began. For that purpose constructing of temporary bridge near the Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge has began in September of 2005. It was opened on 9 May 2006. In the time of reconstruction, transport and pedestrian moved across the temporary bridge. The traffic on Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge was closed, and dismantling of spans, and then, of bearings of the bridge began. After two-year repair its width is 37m (cf. 24 m before). The reconstruction was completed on August 15, 2007.