The city of Kaliningrad, formerly known asKoenigsberg, has an ancient history. The settlement was founded in 1255 on the islands along both banks of the Pregolya River, through which bridges were built in the XIV century, uniting certain parts of the city into a single whole. From time to time, old buildings undergo reconstruction. In the summer of 2016, a major repair of the High Bridge in Kaliningrad began. The work is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2017.
City of seven bridges
All the bridges of Koenigsberg except direct destinationperformed defensive functions. Fearing an attack from Lithuania and Poland, residents of the city in front of each of the bridges built fortifications in the form of towers with strong iron-clad oak gates. In the bridge piers there were rooms from which through the embrasures one could firing at the approaching enemy.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the Pregol riverwas used for shipping. Therefore, the design of each of the bridges included a diverting mechanism, which provided for the possibility of missing barges and ships with tall masts. Since the construction of the railway, which connected Kaliningrad with Chernyakhovsky, Pregol lost its status as an important transport artery. Therefore, the need to build bridges has disappeared. Only the High Bridge in Kaliningrad retained this function until recently. Its mechanism was periodically activated for preventive purposes and for posting of commercial vessels.
History of construction, repairs and reconstructions
The bridge is high in Kaliningrad, or rather inKoenigsberg, was built in 1520. A wooden crossing over the river connected the Forstadt area with the island of Lomza. Only three and a half centuries later it was decided to reconstruct the bridge. In 1882, reinforced brick supports, the worn-out wooden parts of the structure were replaced by metal ones. In the same period, a small building was erected here, where levers and mechanisms were placed, with the help of which the bridge was raised.
Интересно, что это строение, по сути, являющееся for some reason, the local population dubbed the house of a bridge supervisor as a castle or pavilion of Munchhausen. The reason for this, apparently, was the fabulous outlines of the house, although it was built 100 years after the time when the real prototype of the famous baron lived.
Large-scale alteration of the bridge High in Kaliningradunderwent in 1939. The old structure was completely dismantled. Having retreated a few meters from the brick supports that had served their time, they built new concrete trusses on which they installed solid metal flooring.
The need for modern reconstruction
In the spring of 2016, the city authorities tookthe decision to repair the interchange at the intersection of Bagration, Dzerzhinsky and Oktyabrskaya streets, that is, the area where the Vysoky bridge is located. In Kaliningrad, as you know, there will be several matches in the framework of the final stage of the 2018 World Cup. The city began to prepare in advance for this event, updating not only sports facilities, but also the appearance of streets.
В рамках этой программы решено реконструировать и High Bridge in Kaliningrad. Financing of the project is carried out from the regional budget, the course of construction work is taken under the personal control of the head of the city Alexander Yaroshuk. According to expert estimates, the depreciation of the structure has reached about 80%. Therefore, the old structure will be completely disassembled, and in its place a new bridge will be erected to meet modern requirements.
How will the updated High Bridge look
Kaliningrad, photos of attractionswhich, perhaps, will appear on new banknotes, carefully keeps its history. But, according to the authorities and architectural departments of the city, the High Bridge does not belong to the objects of cultural heritage.
Despite this, all demolition workconstructions are carried out with utmost care so as not to destroy the main components of the structures. Separate fragments of the movable mechanism are planned to be transferred to the museum, and the old paving stones found under the asphalt surface of the bridge will be used for the improvement of city streets.
Bridge width after reconstruction will increase by 3meters. There will be a four-lane movement of vehicles. Along the two inner lanes of the carriageway is planned laying tram tracks. Both sides of the bridge are equipped with pedestrian sidewalks and cycling paths.
Incidents accompanying the construction
In the summer of 2016, when work was carried outthe dismantling of the high bridge spans, divers, engaged in disassembling subsea structural units, had to face unforeseen difficulties. A huge fish weighing over 200 kilograms periodically appeared in the construction area, terrorizing people.
Оказалось, что это был сом, живущий в яме nearby. According to Arthur Krupin, the deputy head of the Kaliningrad city administration, the divers tried to carry out all the necessary actions with the utmost care not to disturb the river dweller and not to frighten him from their familiar places.
