The Novosibirsk metro bridge is not just a transport artery of the city, but one of its main symbols. This is a unique engineering structure, which is known throughout the world due to its record-breaking characteristics and original architecture. In terms of its length – 2145 meters – it is the longest covered metro bridge on the planet and a real pride of Novosibirsk residents.
History of construction
The decision to build the bridge was made in the late 1970s, when designers were looking for a way to connect the banks of the Ob with a new metro line. A variety of options were considered: a tunnel under the river, placing rails on a road bridge, or creating a two-tier crossing. However, all of them turned out to be too complicated or expensive. In the end, they settled on a separate metro bridge located parallel to Oktyabrsky.
Construction began in the summer of 1980 and lasted five years. Both professional bridge builders and volunteers from Novosibirsk took part in the work, which makes the metro bridge a truly “people’s” project. The weight of the structure was more than 6,200 tons, and its installation required 14 massive V-shaped supports. The first tests took place in December 1985, and on January 7, 1986, the first passenger trains went across the bridge.
Architecture and construction
The bridge is divided into three parts: the left-bank and right-bank overpasses, as well as the 896-meter-long channel section. The side galleries are made in a glazed box of a pleasant “sea wave” color, and the central part is a massive gray metal beam.
The bridge’s special feature is that it “breathes”: under the influence of temperature, its length changes by about 50 centimeters. To ensure that the rails remain level and safe, engineers have developed special control mechanisms.
Initially, the design included porthole windows, but later they were partially closed: the drivers complained that the flickering light interfered with their work. Nevertheless, the elegant combination of steel corrugated sheets and glazing made the bridge recognizable to this day.
Interesting facts
- The metro bridge in Novosibirsk is almost half a kilometer longer than its closest analogue in Russia.
- To test its strength, four loaded trains weighing over 1,300 tons were launched along it in 1985. The tests were successful.
- Thanks to technical solutions, the bridge can withstand the sharp temperature changes typical of the Siberian climate.
- In recent years, reconstruction has been carried out: about 190 windows were replaced, which cost over 30 million rubles.
Importance for the city
The Novosibirsk metro bridge has become a real calling card of the city. It not only provided convenient transport communication between the two banks, but also became an architectural symbol of the capital of Siberia. Tourists come to see this engineering miracle, and local residents are proud that their city has a unique structure that has no equal in the world.
Entrance to the metro bridge from the Rechnoy Vokzal station
The best way to get to the metro bridge is from the Rechnoy Vokzal metro station. It opened on January 7, 1986 — the same day that trains began running on the bridge — and immediately became one of the most unusual in the city. Its interior resembles a submarine: round stained-glass windows-“portholes” create the atmosphere of a sea voyage. These stained-glass windows were designed and made in 1985 by Honored Artist of the RSFSR Vladimir Sokol.
Each of the ten stained-glass windows is dedicated to Siberian cities, including Tomsk, Omsk, Barnaul, Tyumen, Tobolsk, Novokuznetsk, Biysk and the mysterious polar Mangazeya. Novosibirsk occupies the central place, uniting them into a composition. Evening illumination makes the drawings especially expressive, and for an attentive traveler they become a real “underground gallery”. Thus, the Rechnoy Vokzal station not only forms the largest transport hub of the city, but is also part of the cultural heritage of Novosibirsk.
Stay at the Hotel N and discover Novosibirsk!
Are you planning a trip to Novosibirsk and want to see the famous metro bridge with your own eyes? Book a room in the cozy “Hotel N”. We offer comfortable accommodation, convenient location and hospitable service. Discover all the sights of the city and make your stay unforgettable!
