Across the Krasnenkaya River and the Obvodny Canal stands the Novo-Avtovskiy bridge. It’s a relatively new addition to Saint Petersburg’s landscape, built in 1980. The Novo-Avtovskiy bridge wasn’t always called that. It was originally built as a simple “Avtovo” overpass, a functional name for its location near the Avtovo metro station. Later, a nearby overpass was also named “Avtovo”. To avoid confusion, the bridge we stand before today became the Novo-Avtovskiy bridge, meaning “New Avtovo”. The name “Avtovo” itself harkens back to a historical village in the area. This village, likely named after a person named “Avto”, eventually became part of the growing city. This bridge serves as a vital link for the city. It carries six lanes of traffic and countless pedestrians. They cross daily, connecting various districts of Saint Petersburg. The bridge is a beam bridge. It uses simple, strong beams to support its structure, making it an efficient and modern design. You might not realize it, but this seemingly simple bridge played a role in a toponymic puzzle. For a short time, there were two “Avtovo” overpasses. It took a commission to resolve the confusion and give the Novo-Avtovskiy bridge its current name. So, next time you cross the Novo-Avtovskiy bridge, remember the story of its double name. Remember the ghost of “Avtovo” past. It lurks beneath the “Novo,” a quiet testament to the ever-evolving history of Saint Petersburg.
М. К. Прудников
Born into a peasant family in 1913, Mikhail Prudnikov’s journey began in a small village nestled within the Tomsk Governorate.