“What stories could this bridge tell if it could talk?” That is what I think every time I am standing here at the Uralsky Bridge. Today, we will delve into the history of the Uralsky Bridge. It is a seemingly simple structure with a captivating past. This bridge spans the Smolenka River in the Vasileostrovsky District. It links Vasilyevsky Island and Dekabristov Island. The Uralsky Bridge sits aligned with the 8-9 VI lines and Uralskaya Street.
Let’s journey back to 1716. The first wooden bridge appeared here. It crossed the Smolenka River and was named Vinny Bridge. This name came from Vinny Island, located in the south-eastern part of what is now Dekabristov Island. Interestingly, the island’s name wasn’t about wine. Instead, it was a reference to “guilty” people. Convicted individuals were kept there “by their guilt”.
Fast forward to 1916, the bridge underwent reconstruction. It was then renamed Uralsky Bridge. This new name came from the adjacent Uralskaya Street. The wooden bridge was a three-span beam bridge. It featured wooden girders, pile supports and a wooden superstructure.
In 1928, the Uralsky Bridge was strengthened. This upgrade accommodated tram passage. The middle span gained a metallic I-shaped beam. The superstructures, however, remained wooden. Light metallic railings replaced the old wooden ones. At that time, the bridge measured 26.2 meters in length and 22.4 meters in width.
The 1970s brought significant change. Massive residential construction began on Dekabristov Island. This led to increased traffic. The wooden bridge needed redevelopment.
Between 1973 and 1974, a new project took shape. Engineer Ye.A. Boltunova and architect L.A. Noskov designed a single-span frame. The new Uralsky Bridge was made of reinforced concrete. The superstructure features a three-hinged frame. It includes precast reinforced concrete blocks. These blocks have a curved outline on the bottom chord. The frame and beam “legs” are made of monolithic reinforced concrete. The superstructure facades are clad in granite.
The bridge abutments are massive. They are constructed from monolithic reinforced concrete on a pile foundation. These abutments are also faced with granite. Simple metallic railings line the bridge. Granite obelisks with copper, gold-plated ships adorn the entrances.
The roadway is paved with asphalt concrete. Sidewalks are covered with sand asphalt. A granite fence separates the sidewalk from the roadway. A granite stair descent leads from the bridge’s lower part to the Smolenka River’s left bank.
In 2002, tram traffic ceased on the Uralsky Bridge. The tram ways were disassembled. The roadway was restored. By 2018, the Uralsky Bridge was set to become part of a road. This road would provide a quick route from Vasilyevsky Island to Petrov Island. It would extend further to Petrogradskaya Side and Krestovsky Island.
Today, the Uralsky Bridge stands 24.5 meters long and 31 meters wide. It is a vital link in the city’s infrastructure. As you cross this bridge, remember its layered history. From its wooden beginnings to its modern form, the Uralsky Bridge has adapted to the changing needs of Saint Petersburg. It connects not just two islands but also echoes of the past with the present. The Uralsky Bridge is more than just a crossing. It’s a testament to the city’s continuous evolution.