Ever wondered how bridges get their names? Today, we are standing before the Krasnogo Kursanta Bridge. It is a bridge with a story etched in its very name.
The Krasnogo Kursanta Bridge connects Petrograd and Petrovsky Islands. Its name is linked to nearby military educational institutions. “Krasnogo Kursanta” means “Red Cadet”.
This bridge wasn’t always here. The first bridge was a wooden structure built in the early 19th century. It was located about 420 meters downstream from where we stand now. That original bridge was the very first to span the Zhdanovka River.
In 1836, the bridge was moved to this location. It was rebuilt as a five-span bridge. The middle span used wooden girders. It stretched 60.7 meters long and 14.4 meters wide.
For a time, it was called Stary Petrovsky Bridge or Old Petrovsky Bridge. It was also known as Sredny Petrovsky Bridge or Middle Petrovsky Bridge. Then, it was called Kadetsky Bridge. This was because of its proximity to the 2nd Cadet Corps. Today, the Military Space Academy is located there.
On June 27, 1930, it was renamed Krasnogo Kursanta Bridge. This name honored the many military schools in the area.
The wooden bridge was repaired many times. By 1957, it had become too dilapidated. It was closed to traffic.
In 1962, the wooden bridge was replaced. It was rebuilt with a single-span reinforced concrete design. This new bridge was the work of engineers V.V. Demchenko and A.D. Guttsait. Architect L.A. Noskov also contributed.
The Krasnogo Kursanta Bridge is 57 meters long and 22 meters wide. Its construction involved innovative techniques. These techniques were later used for the Tuchkov Bridge over the Malaya Neva River.
The bridge’s design reduces the weight of the structure. It gives the bridge an elegant look.
In 1999, the bridge’s waterproofing was replaced. In 2015, the asphalt concrete pavement was repaired.
The Krasnogo Kursanta Bridge serves an important purpose. It provides passage from Petrograd Side to Petrovsky Park. This park is a cultural heritage site of the Russian Federation. As you cross, consider the many cadets who once walked this path. They were on their way to becoming part of Russia’s military history.