“Was Rasputin’s body really dumped from this bridge?” someone asks. Right here we are at the Bolshoy Petrovsky Bridge. It crosses the Malaya Nevka River. It connects Petrovsky and Krestovsky Islands. It also passes over a small, unnamed island.
The Bolshoy Petrovsky Bridge is more than just a crossing. It’s a vital link. It facilitates automobile traffic bicycle riders and pedestrians. The bridge’s history stretches back to 1838. At that time, a wooden multi-span bridge was built here.
Let’s delve into some interesting facts. The Bolshoy Petrovsky Bridge has undergone several reconstructions. The current bridge was completed in 2010. It is a steel structure. The bridge has a steel and reinforced concrete roadway. This ensures durability and handles modern traffic demands.
The bridge got its name in 1849. It was initially called Petrovsky-Krestovsky Bridge. The name referenced the islands it connected. By 1860 it was named Bolshoy Petrovsky. This distinguished it from the Malo-Petrovsky Bridge over the Zhdanovka River.
Did you know that a grim event is connected to this spot? In December 1916, Grigori Rasputin’s body was dumped into the river from the bridge. On the following day, searchers found blood stains on the bridge. Divers later recovered his body.
The Bolshoy Petrovsky Bridge we see today isn’t the first. The original wooden bridge was constructed in 1838. It had a guard post for security. In 1874-1875 the upper structure of the bridge was repaired. More work occurred in 1897-1898. The bridge’s movable part was widened. Engineer Nikolai Mazurov oversaw these changes.
During 1946-1948 it was reconstructed. The wooden spans were replaced with steel ones. In December 1993 a barge damaged the bridge. Two stationary supports were destroyed. Three others were damaged. The bridge was then closed to vehicle traffic. It became a pedestrian bridge.
In 2003, the drawbridge system was replaced. By 2005, construction damage appeared. The bridge underwent a major reconstruction from 2009 to 2010. During construction, elements from the old bridge were used. It was opened on September 18 2010.
Today the Bolshoy Petrovsky Bridge is 307 meters long. Its width varies from 21.5 to 39.66 meters. It is equipped with bicycle lanes. The bridge also has four lanes for automobile traffic.
The bridge’s design includes steel spans. It also includes a monolithic reinforced concrete slab. Granite adorns the supports and retaining walls. Metal railings with granite pedestals add to its aesthetic appeal. The Bolshoy Petrovsky Bridge not only connects but also carries stories of St. Petersburg’s past.n