The reconstruction of the Ushakovsky Bridge in Irkutsk has entered a new stage, the old deck is being fully replaced, and traffic is planned to open on June 6. Two crews are working, a third will soon join them, and from today work will continue around the clock. The article explains why the roadway had to be fully replaced, what the new surface will be like, and what issues still need to be resolved, including bridge lighting.
In this mode, the reconstruction of the Ushakovsky Bridge will proceed. As a reminder, work on the site began three months ago. The completion date is June 6.Literally, only a skeleton of wooden and metal structures remains of the old bridge. But very soon they will be covered with a two-layer asphalt-concrete surface on a geogrid. According to the director of Irkutsk’s Bridge Maintenance Service, the entire roadway of the bridge needed to be replaced. Over eleven years of operation, the old wooden decking has rotted along its entire length. Anatoly Tkach admits that the repair, unlike the future bridge deck, cannot be called smooth.
Anatoly Tkach, director of the municipal unitary enterprise “Bridge Maintenance Service”: “Well, there were a few difficulties. It was affected by the fact that funding was opened at the end of February. We had a bit of an issue with the lumber supplier, with the long crossbeams. But I think we will raise this issue again with the supplier, who is reliable. The lumber has already been cut; all that remains is to treat it and deliver it here to us”
The bridge with the new surface, Anatoly Tkach promises, will last ten, or even fifteen years. Then this decking will also be replaced. For now, traffic on the Ushakovsky Bridge is scheduled to open on June 6. By that time, streetlights will be installed here.
Andrey Labygin, chairman of the Irkutsk City Duma: “Of course, there are issues related to the design work. That is, what is provided for by the repair, namely the lack of lighting over the bridge. You can see the support here and the next one about 250 meters from here. We will also look at this today at the urban planning commission. Probably, lighting needs to be installed somewhere as well.
Two crews are currently working on the Ushakovsky Bridge, and a third will arrive soon to help. Starting today, work here will continue around the clock.