Imagine a non-stop drive from Pulkovo Airport to Krestovsky Stadium. That’s part of what the Betancourt Bridge made possible. The Betancourt Bridge is not just a crossing. It’s a modern symbol of Saint Petersburg.
Hello everyone. We are standing before the impressive Betancourt Bridge. It is named in honor of Agustin de Betancourt. He was a prominent engineer of Spanish origin. He contributed to many architectural marvels in Saint Petersburg.
The Betancourt Bridge opened in 2018. It is a six-lane bridge with a dedicated cycle path. This bridge facilitates movement between Vasilyevsky and Petrogradsky Islands. It crosses the Little Neva and Zhdanovka rivers. The Betancourt Bridge passes over Petrovsky and Sernyy Island.
First dreamt up in the 1980s, its design changed significantly. It became S-shaped. This was to avoid the Almaz military shipyard. The shipyard was on the bank of the Little Neva. Ironically, the shipyard closed before the bridge construction began.
The construction wasn’t without controversy. Several historical buildings faced demolition. Some documents were allegedly forged. Fraudulent commissions were made. The Betancourt Bridge officially opened on May 13, 2018. However, final commissioning only occurred on March 26, 2019.
The Betancourt Bridge received architectural awards. This recognized its innovative design. Yet, it also faced criticism. Its S-shape doesn’t comply with city road safety standards. Sharp turns to interchanges exist. The six lanes merge into fewer city street lanes. This sometimes causes traffic jams.
Technically, the Betancourt Bridge stretches 923 meters. Including approaches, it spans 1.25 kilometers. Its width measures 37 meters. The bridge stands 16 meters high. The shipping span is 100 meters. It has 48 bracing wires. These wires range from 31.7 to 99.3 meters in length.
The Betancourt Bridge connects Dekabristov and Petrovsky islands. It passes over Sernyy Island. It links Uralskaya Street to Zhdanovskaya Embankment and Novoladozhskaya Street. Drivers from Petrogradsky District can exit to Uralskaya Street and Makarova Embankment. These connect to the Western High-Speed Diameter, Morskaya Embankment, and KIMa Avenue. From Vasilyevsky Island, exits lead to Petrovsky Avenue, Zhdanovskaya, and Novoladozhskaya Streets.
Initially, a straight main span was planned. However, the Almaz shipyard protested. To avoid the shipyard, the bridge got its S-shape. By the time construction began, the shipyard was already gone. The city could have bought the land for a straight bridge. Instead, several houses were demolished on Remeslennaya Street. Thirty-eight property owners received compensation.
Construction started in November 2015 without official permission. The project crossed a UNESCO Heritage site. In 2016, authorities rejected the design. The main pylon’s height violated city regulations. The developer lowered the pylon. He then sued the city for extra costs.
The last block was installed on April 11, 2017. The cable system installation began in February 2018. The bridge was named after Agustin de Betancourt on March 29, 2018. Despite these setbacks, the Betancourt Bridge opened.
The Betancourt Bridge provides viewpoints, a bike lane, and a sidewalk. The Betancourt Bridge is a testament to modern engineering. It reflects the complexities of urban development. It faced controversies and changes. It stands as a functional and innovative landmark in Saint Petersburg.