Paton Bridge
Encyclopedia
Paton Bridge is one of the bridges across the Dnieper
in Kiev
, Ukraine
named after its constructor
. Built between 1941 and 1953, is the world's first all-welded bridge and is also the longest bridge in Kiev having a length of 1543 metres (5,062.3 ft). Traffic across the bridge was opened on 5 November 1953. The bridge also acts as a segment of the Small Ring Road of Kiev.
played a direct role in the design and construction of the bridge. Originally he came up with a revolutionary, even on a global scale, innovative idea of all-welding the structure instead of using the traditional riveted design. He urged the designers that such approach will greatly improve the reliability of the structure, but initially his idea did not find any support amongst the professionals. Eventually his idea of all-welding did receive the support, as he was given the go-head to start building the bridge by the head of the Ukrainian Communist Party
, Nikita Khrushchev
, who personally oversaw the entire operation. The construction of the first span began in early June
1941, but was interrupted by the Great Patriotic War. After the liberation of Kiev
by the Red Army
on 6 November 1943, construction of the bridge was forced to begin practically from scratch as the retreating German troops
blew up all of the existing parts of the incomplete bridge. However, the construction of the bridge was completed just in time for the 10-th anniversary of the liberation of Kiev
and was officially opened on the 5 November 1953. Upon the completion, the bridge was composed of 264 identical blocks which are 29 metres (95.1 ft) in length each, held together by welded seams totaling 10668 metres (35,000 ft). The total weight of the entire structure is estimated to be over 10000 tonnes (9,842 LT). The installation of the streetcar tracks on the bridge also enabled the passengers to commute between the Left Bank and Right Banks of Kiev
by tram
, taking pressure off the buses.
at the time. In 1976, a strength test was conducted to see how much pressure the bridge can withstand. Originally, the bridge was designed to handle 10,000 vehicles per day. However, the results of the test revealed that the bridge can withstand an estimated 70,000 vehicles per day. In 1995, the bridge was recognized by the American Welding Society
as the most unique all-welded structure. In 2004 the bridge has undergone a major overhaul. In its anticipation, on 9 June of that year, the streetcar traffic on the bridge ceased to exist as the streetcar tracks were removed in favor of adding additional lanes to help ease the jams that were crippling the bridge and its vicinity during the rush hours. The bridge was divided into seven lanes. Three lanes would be used for both directions, plus one reversible lane
in the middle. The addition of the reversible lane
has also led to an increase of traffic accidents, especially head-on collisions. Starting on 1 February 2008, based on the initiative of the Department of Traffic Services, the bridge was equipped with additional lighting. In summer of 2009 and 2010 the bridge has undergone through some major repairs.
will also increase the average daily traffic by almost 60%. In addition, the concept of using a concrete divider, similar to the Ontario Tall Wall, as used on the Moskovskyi Bridge
since 2007, would greatly reduce traffic accidents, especially head-on collisions. As of November
2010, this next major overhaul is estimated to cost the city an estimated 714,000,000 UAH
. The reconstruction is scheduled to begin in 2011 and is estimated to last up to 27 months.
Dnieper River
The Dnieper River is one of the major rivers of Europe that flows from Russia, through Belarus and Ukraine, to the Black Sea.The total length is and has a drainage basin of .The river is noted for its dams and hydroelectric stations...
in Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
named after its constructor
Evgeny Paton
Professor Evgeny Oscarovich Paton was a Ukrainian and Soviet engineer who established the E. O. Paton Electric Welding Institute in Kiev. He is father of Borys Paton....
. Built between 1941 and 1953, is the world's first all-welded bridge and is also the longest bridge in Kiev having a length of 1543 metres (5,062.3 ft). Traffic across the bridge was opened on 5 November 1953. The bridge also acts as a segment of the Small Ring Road of Kiev.
Construction
Engineer Evgeny PatonEvgeny Paton
Professor Evgeny Oscarovich Paton was a Ukrainian and Soviet engineer who established the E. O. Paton Electric Welding Institute in Kiev. He is father of Borys Paton....
played a direct role in the design and construction of the bridge. Originally he came up with a revolutionary, even on a global scale, innovative idea of all-welding the structure instead of using the traditional riveted design. He urged the designers that such approach will greatly improve the reliability of the structure, but initially his idea did not find any support amongst the professionals. Eventually his idea of all-welding did receive the support, as he was given the go-head to start building the bridge by the head of the Ukrainian Communist Party
Ukrainian Communist Party
The Ukrainian Communist Party was an oppositional political party in Soviet Ukraine, from 1920 until 1925. Its followers were known as Ukapists , from the initials UKP.Socialist Sovereigns...
, Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
, who personally oversaw the entire operation. The construction of the first span began in early June
June
June is the sixth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and one of the four months with a length of 30 days. Ovid provides two etymologies for June's name in his poem concerning the months entitled the Fasti...
1941, but was interrupted by the Great Patriotic War. After the liberation of Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
by the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
on 6 November 1943, construction of the bridge was forced to begin practically from scratch as the retreating German troops
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
blew up all of the existing parts of the incomplete bridge. However, the construction of the bridge was completed just in time for the 10-th anniversary of the liberation of Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
and was officially opened on the 5 November 1953. Upon the completion, the bridge was composed of 264 identical blocks which are 29 metres (95.1 ft) in length each, held together by welded seams totaling 10668 metres (35,000 ft). The total weight of the entire structure is estimated to be over 10000 tonnes (9,842 LT). The installation of the streetcar tracks on the bridge also enabled the passengers to commute between the Left Bank and Right Banks of Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
by tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
, taking pressure off the buses.
History
Since the successful opening in 1953, the bridge did not see any major additions or changes until 1968. Sometime during that year, two guardrails were installed separating both pedestrian and automobile traffic. This particular approach was never before used in the entire Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
at the time. In 1976, a strength test was conducted to see how much pressure the bridge can withstand. Originally, the bridge was designed to handle 10,000 vehicles per day. However, the results of the test revealed that the bridge can withstand an estimated 70,000 vehicles per day. In 1995, the bridge was recognized by the American Welding Society
American Welding Society
The American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying...
as the most unique all-welded structure. In 2004 the bridge has undergone a major overhaul. In its anticipation, on 9 June of that year, the streetcar traffic on the bridge ceased to exist as the streetcar tracks were removed in favor of adding additional lanes to help ease the jams that were crippling the bridge and its vicinity during the rush hours. The bridge was divided into seven lanes. Three lanes would be used for both directions, plus one reversible lane
Reversible lane
A reversible lane , called a counterflow lane or contraflow lane in transport engineering nomenclature, is a lane in which traffic may travel in either direction, depending on certain conditions...
in the middle. The addition of the reversible lane
Reversible lane
A reversible lane , called a counterflow lane or contraflow lane in transport engineering nomenclature, is a lane in which traffic may travel in either direction, depending on certain conditions...
has also led to an increase of traffic accidents, especially head-on collisions. Starting on 1 February 2008, based on the initiative of the Department of Traffic Services, the bridge was equipped with additional lighting. In summer of 2009 and 2010 the bridge has undergone through some major repairs.
Future Improvements
According to the experts, the bridge’s current state does not reflect modern design requirements and is in need of a major overhaul including the spans, waterproofing, welded seams, lighting poles, guardrails and the foundation itself as well. The expansion to four lanes in each direction at an expense of the reversible laneReversible lane
A reversible lane , called a counterflow lane or contraflow lane in transport engineering nomenclature, is a lane in which traffic may travel in either direction, depending on certain conditions...
will also increase the average daily traffic by almost 60%. In addition, the concept of using a concrete divider, similar to the Ontario Tall Wall, as used on the Moskovskyi Bridge
Moskovskyi Bridge
The Moskovskyi Bridge, designed by the architect A.V.Dobrovolsky and an engineer by G.B.Fux, was built in 1976. It is a cable-stayed bridge, with the beam of the main span being held by a cluster of steel ropes which are fixed to a 115 meters tall A-pylon...
since 2007, would greatly reduce traffic accidents, especially head-on collisions. As of November
November
November is the 11th month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of four months with the length of 30 days. November was the ninth month of the ancient Roman calendar...
2010, this next major overhaul is estimated to cost the city an estimated 714,000,000 UAH
Ukrainian hryvnia
The hryvnia, sometimes hryvnya or grivna ; sign: ₴, code: , has been the national currency of Ukraine since September 2, 1996. The hryvnia is subdivided into 100 kopiyok. In medieval times, it was a currency of Kievan Rus'....
. The reconstruction is scheduled to begin in 2011 and is estimated to last up to 27 months.