The Dvortsovy bridge across the Neva in St. Petersburg connects the Central Part of the city between the Winter Palace and the Admiralty with the spit of Vasilievsky Island.

The Dvortsovy Bridge was built to the design of engineer Pshenitsky and architect Meltser. Its length is 255,05 m, the scheme is as follows: (38,63+47,12)+(9,20+58,60+9,20)+(47,12+38,63). The width: 27,60 m.
In closed position the deck works as a three-hinged arch. The movable span consists of a double-leaf bascule deck of Straus system. The weight of the steel structures: 7,770 tons including counterweights of the movable span: 2,800 tons.

History:
1901 – tender for the best design of the Dvortsovy bridge
1912 – start of construction
1916 – opening of the bridge
1920 – renaming of the bridge: Republican
1944 – recovery of the original name
1977-1978 - reconstruction of Dvortsovy bridge
2006 – a reconstruction design was developed for the Dvortsovy bridge commissioned by the Committee for the city improvement and road infrastructure.

The main problems of the bridge - unsatisfactory status of the unique mechanical equipment of the draw span and pits of the pers.
A new original solution was found for the draw span with arrangement of a hinged suspended counterweight which kinematics allowed removing the pier pits of the draw span.
During reconstruction the existing navigation clearances have been preserved.
The architectural part of the design includes restoring and installation of the parapets and the lighting poles.

The main parameters after reconstruction:
1    The total length of the bridge (between the abutment surfaces): 255,05 m
2    Bridge aperture: 217,60 m
3    Bridge scheme: (38,63+47,12)+(9,20+58,60+9,20)+(47,12+38,63) m
4    Overall dimension (width): 27,60 m
      Carriageway: 22,00 m
      Foot walks (downriver): 2,51 m
      Foot walks (upnriver): 2,51 m
5    Number of lanes: 3+3 m
6    Pavement type:       
      On permanent deck: asphalt/concrete
      On movable deck: guss asphalt/concrete
7    under clearance: 22,0*6,3 (30,00) m

After the engineering survey of the structural condition of the bridge, analysis of the prospective traffic intensity and the forecast for the area economic development it was decided to strengthen the existing superstructure, which will enable to carry 3 lanes of traffic in each direction, as well as completely replace the equipment of the draw span.

The reconstruction works of the existing bridge include:
- Restoration of the parapets, lighting poles and granite facing;
- Rearrangement of utilities;
- Rearrangement of outdoor lighting and decorative lighting;
- Repair of the service spaces of the draw span.

To ensure motor and pedestrian traffic for the period of reconstruction the temporary bridge will be used that had been previously built for reconstruction of Lieutenant Schmidt bridge.
A temporary traffic scheme in the area of the bridge will be used for the period of reconstruction. One-way traffic will be arranged on Admiralty, English and University Embankments with use of the temporary bridge across the Neva.

The main design solutions for the draw span:
Dismantling of parapets and lighting poles;
Full removal of the pavement up to the gutter iron on the ends of the deck;
Full removal of the pavement and the carriageway orthotropic plate of the arched superstructure;
Full thermo and sandblast treatment of the steel structures for determination of the main scopes of works;
Replacement of steel structures of the bascule end and dismantling of the existing counterweights;
Arrangement of a lead hinged suspended counterweight;
Arrangement of “broken” columns in the alignment of bearings of the fixed deck;
Selective replacement of defected steel elements that are most effected by corrosion;
During replacement of steel structures new high strength bolts will be used instead of the rivets.

Special high-strength bolts with semicircular heads (as required by the Committee for protection of monuments) will be used for the facing elements of the decks.
Al steel structures of the fixed decks will be cleaned of the corrosion products, primed and painted.
The deck will be provided with the new orthotropic carriageway plate.
The surface waterproofing will be of “Technoelastmost C” material on the whole width of the carriageway.
The carriageway pavement is a 55 mm thick layer of guss asphalt/concrete.
The pavement of foot walks (on the surface waterproofing) is a 30 mm thick layer of guss asphalt/concrete.
Steel barrier fencing of the carriageway is like parapets.
New waterproofed movement joints of MAURER company.

The architectural part of the design includes restoring and installation of the parapets and lighting poles.
Architectural appearance of the bridge was not completed because of the wars: World War I, Civil War and the postwar breakup. It is only in 1939 that the wooden parapets were replaced by cast iron railing (Authors: architect L. Noskov and sculptor I. Krestovsky). The center of the panel is decorated with Soviet symbols: a star, banners and sheaves of wheat.


The design has a provision for a decor solution according to architect R. Melzer (1912-1914).

The reconstruction of the Dvortsovy bridge was planned to complete in 2007-2008. But the plans were corrected after adoption of the Concept of regulations for the city’s engineering structures. The project implementation was suspended and at the moment the program of technical activities was developed to ensure prolongation of the draw deck operating life for another 5 year period.

It is envisaged to use high-strength bolts instead of existing rivets and partially replace some elements of the steel structures most severely damaged by corrosion. The damaged structures will be strengthened with tie-plates. Some equipment will be replaced: drive shaft bearings and counterweights. A new lead hinged movable counterweight will be located on the bascule end. A new carriageway orthotropic plate will be used for the deck. For the navigation period of 2007-2008 a regular repair is planned on the draw span.

Clients: SPB GU “Directorate for transport construction”.
Committee for the city improvement and road infrastructure.
General Designer: JSC “Institute Strojproect”.