Artery on flexible cables

The implementation of the largest bridge project in Belarus is nearing completion

The reconstruction of Belarus’ second-longest bridge — across the Pripyat River — has entered its final stage. This most ambitious investment project in domestic bridge construction in recent times, designed to restore comfortable and safe communication between two major industrial centres — Mozyr and Kalinkovichi, is scheduled for completion before the end of the year. How are complex engineering solutions being implemented, and what will the new arterial road look like?

Reconstruction of one of Belarus' longest bridges — over the Pripyat River — is nearing completion 

Request stop 

The old bridge, built in 1958, became problematic several years ago. The structure no longer met the transport flow, which had increased many times over, or modern navigation standards. In November 2023, the Mozyr crossing was closed following a survey of bridge structures across the country, ordered by the Head of State. 
Simultaneously with the large-scale reconstruction, it was necessary to quickly change the public transport traffic pattern that had developed over decades. The project was at the heart of both economic and social interests. Therefore, the pace of work was set to maximum right from the start.

Span analysis

For Belarusian bridge builders, the Mozyr site, while the most extensive, is still just another project. These specialists upgrade overwater crossings annually, both domestically and abroad. The procedure has been refined, and there is a track record of success.
Nevertheless, each new project presents unique features and differences, demanding unconventional solutions and non-standard approaches. Dmitry Fateyev, Deputy Director General for Construction — Chief Engineer at the Gomelavtodor republican unitary enterprise, explained the specifics of the Mozyr site, “This is the second-longest bridge in Belarus. Before reconstruction, the crossing spanned 924.03m. In the updated version, it is shorter: 909.03m long.”
Experts add that they had to solve various atypical problems during the reconstruction process — for example, narrowing the bed of the Pripyat River. Also, when setting up work platforms under the bridge, excavators had to extract quarry rocks with diameters of 1–1.5m, which were used in the late 1970s during severe floods to prevent erosion of the channel piers. Additional production resources included the floating craft from the Nizhne-Pripyatsky branch of the Dneprobugvodput republican unitary maintenance and construction enterprise and the Mozyr River Port, which helped to simplify and accelerate many processes.
The extra credit tasks proved feasible. Highly skilled specialists and the necessary equipment — all resources are involved to the maximum, under full scientific supervision. Employees of the BeldorNII’s [Belarusian road research institute] sectoral bridge laboratory maintain constant control over the construction and installation works at the site.

In service for at least a century

Work is progressing rapidly towards completion. What the Mozyr bridge will be like is becoming clear now, not only from the drawings in the design documentation. Its originality — albeit still without the ‘cosmic’ illumination conceived by the architects — is already reflected in the mirror of the Pripyat River. Denis Yasko, General Director at Gomelavtodor, described the foreseeable future, “Structurally, the new bridge resembles the old one, with reinforced concrete beams on supports and a metal span. Its modern interpretation meets maximum safety requirements and is absolutely original. The 84-metre span is designed as an arch consisting of three ‘branches’, with flexible cables used as suspensions.”
The bridge is expected to last at least 100 years. The structure will be wider than the previous one: 10m instead of 7. One of the pavements, 3m wide, will accommodate a cycle path. Three staircases and a lift will make ascent and descent convenient and accessible for everyone.
A viewing platform will be installed on the Mozyr crossing, offering a picturesque view of the surrounding Pripyat Polesie region. Decorative lighting will undoubtedly transform this site into one of the region’s attractions.
Among the innovations is an improved surface made of advanced materials that provide increased wear resistance, resistance to temperature fluctuations and noise reduction during traffic movement. A modern solution has also been applied in the design of the drainage system: after passing through treatment facilities, waste water will be collected by a sand and oil separator located on both sides of the bridge.

Here and now

Gomel, Grodno, Minsk, Brest... Bridge builders from different regions of the country are participating in the large-scale project requiring specialist knowledge, niche qualifications and advanced technology. They are assisted by constructors, road workers, river workers, lift operators and power engineers. On average, there are up to 150 people on site right now. The team from the bridge-building detachment No. 58 of Mostostroy from Brest has been working on the Mozyr crossing from day one. Oleg Bely, the director of the regional subdivision, gave an insight into the scale of the reconstruction, “Our main area of work is the right bank, from the side of Primostovaya Square in Mozyr. We are involved in all stages: dismantling, construction of reinforced concrete spans and retaining walls, arch assembly... A lot of work is carried out from barges and floating craft — this adds to the complexity. After the complete assembly of the structures, the laying of asphalt, paving slabs and installation of lighting are to be done. Over the years, we have completed a great many bridge structures. But I can say for certain that the Mozyr bridge will go down in history as one of the largest projects, and also unique in its visual design.”
The most beautiful and most complex part of the crossing — the central span structure with three arched ‘branches’ — has already been assembled. Literally every day the bridge is taking on its final form.

In former times, 6–7 years were allocated for the implementation of such projects. Nowadays, thanks to modern approaches and technologies mastered by Belarusian bridge builders, such a conceptual reboot has taken two years.

RESOURCES

The total cost of the object’s reconstruction, taking into account the duration of construction, is Br160.4m. Up to 150 people work here daily, with about 60 units of machinery involved on the site — from construction vehicles to specialised equipment.

IN ESSENCE

An arch-cable-stayed bridge is a complex structure in which the supporting arch and cable-stayed system (steel cables extending from the pylons to the roadway) work together, ensuring the bridge’s strength and stability. This type of structure combines the advantages of arch structures, which transfer the load to the supports through the arch, and cable-stayed bridges, where the span is supported by tensioned cables.

CONCEPT

The project was developed by the Belgiprodor state enterprise. The main idea behind the reconstruction was to create a bridge that is as functional, convenient and aesthetically pleasing to the city as possible. On the one hand, the object takes into account all the features and demands of the intensive traffic in the industrial region, and on the other hand, it emphasises its uniqueness, being organically integrated into the infrastructure in terms of colour scheme and structural form. Individual structures of a high degree of complexity were used in the implementation of the architectural solutions. According to experts, they managed to make the bridge visually light, soaring and positive in perception, its façade resembling a rising sun.

By Violetta Dralyuk

Photos by Ivan Yarivanovich