theme of building a bridge across the Kerch Strait has become particularly urgent after the tumultuous political events of the first half of 2014 in Ukraine, had the consequence of the return of the Crimea to the Russian Federation.
From the history of the issue
The idea of the desirability and the need to connect the two shores of the Strait of major bridge has existed since time immemorial.It was reflected in some historical sources.But the construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait are constantly postponed for an uncertain future due to the technical complexity and financial cost of such a project.Strictly speaking, there is an urgent need has arisen only in the moment.All previous years to smuggle people and cars satisfactorily cope Kerch Sea Ferry.She regularly works from September 1954 and to this day.A decade before this was built a temporary bridge across the railway crossing the strait.It had a strategic importance for warfare.It was built during the war by the Soviet Army engineering of materials that were prepared by the German occupiers.The construction of the bridge Kerch provided logistical support the planned large-scale offensive in the North Caucasus.
After returning Crimea
During the Soviet period in the history of the Crimea the main flow of goods and passengers on the peninsula was transported by rail through the Isthmus of Perekop.Ferry across the Kerch Strait was of secondary importance.The situation radically changed after the return of the Crimea to Russia.The need for capital construction of the bridge moved from the discussion stage to the implementation stage.There was the inevitable question about who is going to build a bridge across the Kerch Strait.The building is unique for Russia in its technical complexity.And build it must be how quickly and accurately so.Against the backdrop of political instability in Ukraine bridge across the Strait of acquired crucial to the entire economic life of the peninsula.Economy of Crimea is based mainly on serving tourists.A traditional way for them associated with transit through the territory of Ukraine, was under a big question.
between the Crimea and the Caucasus
is not to say that the project of the bridge across the Kerch Strait was the first on the scale in the history of bridge building.On the globe, you can find more complex and extent of engineering structures.But with all this, take it to an ordinary bridge crossings will not work at all desire.Kerch Strait - the place is not easy and in the geological and hydrological plan.The minimum distance between the two sides was here about six kilometers.If you select engineering solutions, developers have to take into account seismic hazard the whole area, difficult ice conditions in the strait, strong sea currents and frequent squalls.Storm state of the atmosphere is typical in the spring of this part of the region.The important point is to ensure the smooth passage of vessels through the channel of the Strait in the Black Sea of Azov and back.
Analysis of options
As cases of mid-June 2014, not only is not known who will build a bridge across the Kerch Strait, but not defined the final choice of the version of the draft, which will implement the contractor.In all such options, there are about eight.The most important requirement for the government project is to combine in a single engineering construction of road and rail bridges.The most promising of all the options presented in the discussion of the route crossing the Strait should recognize the two.They can be designated as "northern" and "southern".Of course, projects are analyzed not only on technical parameters but also the estimated cost of their implementation.
Through Zhukovka Kerch
North option involves the construction of a bridge on the settlement Zhukovka spit in the direction of pigs, where the Port Kavkaz.At first glance, this option is best, since the distance between the two sides at this point the Strait is minimal.It is less than six kilometers.But the construction of bridges, by definition, involves the optimization of communications.And the optimal route can be called impossible, it leads to the beach itself is not the Krasnodar Territory and the narrow and long braid pigs, separated from the main directions of long distance.To make this project was justified, it is necessary to build two longest approaches to the bridge from the Caucasian coast and capital to strengthen unstable narrow band Spit Ingots.
Through Tuzla
This geographical name became known to the general public through the media.About ten years ago, they told the public about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict over this half a blurred sea currents, a piece of land.Today, Tuzla again in the public eye as the most promising area in which to work quickly to those who will build a bridge across the Kerch Strait.Most of the technical experts and those who influence decision-making, tend to give preference to the southern route alternatives.This is despite the fact that the total length of the bridge at a given location will be about twelve kilometers.In fact, on this route to be built two bridges - Tuzla today is an island, and to get to it from the Taman Peninsula, it is necessary to build a bridge crossing, bandwidth and technical specifications are not inferior to the core.And will take a significant amount of engineering work to strengthen the Tuzla Island.But even with all the technical complexities of the southern route option is minimal on budget expenditures.
Alternative
All other engineering offers developers options are reduced to a combined Crossing one of the two designated routes.Some of them offer a bridge passing in the tunnel at half distance.Others provide an option only for the tunneled portion of the railway bridge.But it is much more expensive for the costs involved.And unacceptable for safety - seismicity of the area creates a potential threat to the lives of people who may be in the tunnel at the time of the tremors.Therefore, the combination of geological and economic circumstances, the layout of the bridge across the Kerch Strait will not include a tunnel section, regardless of the approval of the final version of the route of the bridge.
about who will build a bridge across the Kerch Strait
Contractor Selection grand engineering project has not yet been Implemented.Is it worth it to say that there is no shortage of willing to participate in the development of the budget?The cost of a bridge across the Kerch Strait can only be determined approximately.Officially called the figure of 350 billion rubles is preliminary.As the global and Russian experience in the construction of major transport infrastructure projects suggests that in the process of implementation of the project budget plans tend to adjust upwards.It should be noted that, despite the fact that the Russian school of bridge construction has significant experience in the design and construction of complex bridges, with a project of this magnitude have not had to face any domestic structures.Kerch bridge is more than twice the President's famous bridge over the Volga River in Ulyanovsk, the length of which is 5 kilometers 700 meters.And the timing of its planned construction of quite hard.Currently, a special structure within the state company "Russian Roads".It performs the functions of the customer's building.The winner of the contest for engineering research and development of technical and economic basis of the company declared "Giprotransmost."
Chinese participation
huge practical experience in the design and construction of complex infrastructure projects have Chinese engineering structures.In total length annually commissioned bridges and freeways, this country has no equal in the world.The media published reports of interest and the alleged involvement of the Chinese side in the construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait.The initiative attracting builders of China came from the Russian side.The degree of involvement of the Chinese in the project has not been determined.
Construction period for the implementation of the unprecedented scale of the Russian project released four years.Its construction is due to start in the current 2014.Approved for use bridge over the Strait of Kerch must be no later than the second half of 2018.Delays in construction and installation works inevitably lead to a significant rise in the cost of the project.In addition to the bridge, on both sides of the Strait will perform a significant amount of work on the construction of access roads to it and various auxiliary engineering infrastructure.Economy of Crimea depends on the timely commissioning of this facility.Kerch ferry exhausted its reserves.Those who are sent to the Crimea to rest for about a day to stand in line waiting for the ferry.This situation objectively hinders the flow of tourists to the peninsula.
