Финляндский мост

Across the Neva River stretches the Finland Railway Bridge, a steel giant with a story as complex as its construction. This bridge, the Финляндский железнодорожный мост, isn’t just one bridge, but two. They stand side-by-side, almost twins, yet each possesses a unique history. The Finland Railway Bridge initially carried not only trains but also pedestrians. However, fears of terrorist attacks before World War I led to its closure to foot traffic. Imagine the workers, denied their convenient shortcut, forced to find alternate routes. Interestingly, in the mid-20th century, special passes granted select employees access to cross, a privilege highlighting the bridge’s strategic importance. The original Finland Railway Bridge began construction in 1910, a project helmed by engineers N. A. Belelyubsky, G. G. Krivoshein, I. G. Aleksandrov, and architect V. P. Apyshkov. Four arched spans, each over 110 meters long, dominate the structure, complemented by a movable section facilitating ship passage. This design echoes the Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge, a testament to Krivoshein and Apyshkov’s shared vision. The Finland Railway Bridge, however, lacks the ornamental flourishes of its counterpart. Stretching over 1130 meters, including its approaches, with approximately 513.5 meters spanning the river itself, the Finland Railway Bridge connected the Finnish and Russian railway systems. Primarily funded by the Grand Duchy of Finland due to its strategic importance, the bridge facilitated seamless travel between the two regions. The first train triumphantly crossed in 1912, a year before its official opening in 1913. Initially named after Emperor Alexander I, the name was swiftly discarded, and it became known simply as the New Bridge until its current name prevailed. Decades of heavy freight traffic eventually took their toll. The aging lifting mechanism struggled to keep pace with increasing demands. By 1983, the construction of a second bridge, designed by engineer O. Rusin, commenced downstream from the original. While visually similar, this new bridge is welded rather than riveted and features a single-leaf bascule bridge. Completed in 1987, the new addition allowed for the much-needed renovation of the older bridge, which suffered extensive corrosion. The renovation also modernized the lifting system. The revitalized bridge reopened in 2003, ready to serve the new Ladozhsky Railway Station. The Finland Railway Bridge stands as a symbol of enduring engineering and a vital link in Russia’s railway network.