Paton Bridge is one of the first truly outstanding structures in the capital of Ukraine. Even today, it surprises with its splendor and scale. Its project was developed by the world-famous Soviet mechanical scientist and engineer Yevgeny Oskarovich Paton, after whom it got its name. The author proved the possibility of using welding in bridge construction, although it was previously considered unrealistic.
Thought, wondered, and finally built
Paton Bridge, whose history of creation dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century, is unique in its construction technology. Looking ahead a little, we can say that it was the first of its kind and served as a prototype for other similar buildings around the world. But back to the background.
Once the government of Kyiv decided to merge two parks: Mariinsky and Khreschaty. Since the alley could not be built, the only way out seemed to be the creation of an underpass. Professor Evgeny Paton was invited to develop the project. However, he was shocked by the beauty of the panorama, whichopened in front of him overlooking the left bank of Kyiv, so the idea came up to create an exquisite bridge.
After Eugene headed the design department at the KPI, his project was implemented, and a few years later the two parks merged. Today it is the well-known bridge of lovers.
Some time later, the professor created a welding laboratory and an electric welding committee, which served as the basis for the creation of the world-famous Paton Electric Welding Institute.
The construction of supports for a new bridge has begun, which connected the left and right banks of Kyiv. However, everything was stopped by the war. After it, the construction of the main bridge, which was called Kievsky, was resumed. This is where Evgeny Paton proposed to use welding when the installation of the girders will be done.
An innovation that no one has ever tried, colleagues and superiors did not approve. However, Paton was very persuasive, and Khrushchev gave the green light to implement the idea with welding.
The unique building was completed in the mid-1950s.
It turns out that in the design documents of Yevgeny Oskarovich the bridge was recorded as the Kyiv City Bridge. And as a result, he became one of the largest structures in Europe, he also managed to combine two complex concepts: welding and bridge building.
A few facts
Surprisingly, in Kyiv there is a masterpiece that is longer than Khreshchatyk, and this is the Paton Bridge. Its length is 1543 meters. The carriageway reaches a width of 21 m, and sidewalks - about 3 meters. metalbridge structures weigh almost 11,000 tons.
In order to ensure safe movement, a special decorative and artistic fence was created along the entire length. For almost 50 years, a tram has been running on the bridge.
How to get there
For the first time, a three-level interchange in the form of a ring was built in the capital of Ukraine. By European standards, it is customary to call it a "turbine". The creators of the project counted on the fact that the cars would not collide with each other, which would make the task easier for drivers. In fact, the interchange scheme of the Paton bridge is very complicated. It turns out that this "turbine" is not so easy to understand.
If you move from the Naddnepryanskoye Highway, in order to get to the Paton Bridge, you need to drive into the specially designated first right turn. Those who go to the station "Friendship of Peoples" need to turn onto the second right exit, and then get into the roundabout. You will not be able to enter the ring from the first right turn.
Tram across the Dnieper
Before the reconstruction was carried out, one of the most important tram lines passed through the Patona Bridge, which connected the left-bank system of the Kyiv tram with the right-bank one. However, the tracks were dismantled, and a trolleybus line was laid in their place. As time has shown, the new transport could not cope with the passenger flow. This is due to the fact that the Kyiv tram system was divided into two branches: one was on the left bank, and the second on the right.
Over time, the plans were to dismantle the route line on the Naberezhnoye Highway, which would lead to the impossibilityrestore the tram system of the left and right banks. At the moment, the question remains open.
Really
Exactly when it was necessary to demolish the fasteners from the previous structure, which was located on the site of the Paton bridge, one interesting incident occurred. Under the water, where the supports were, it was necessary to lower the explosives. At that time, cellophane bags had not yet been invented. And it took more than 4,000 condoms to isolate the explosives from the water.
About sore today
The Paton Bridge, the photo of which is presented in the article, is the union of the avenue on the left with the boulevard on the right bank. It is not difficult for residents to get to the desired metro station if there are no traffic jams. However, recently this has become a sore problem in the capital of Ukraine. More and more traffic jams every day.
The most important problem today is the high accident rate. Traffic police officers already consider the Paton welded bridge almost bewitched, for which they considered it necessary to consecrate it. Tips are popping up on the internet on how to deal effectively with multiple traffic accidents. One of them is a proposal to close the reverse lane and change it to a bump stop that will separate cars moving in different directions.
Interesting
The capital of Ukraine became the birthplace of a new way of building, and soon it spread throughout the world. To date, most of the bridges across the water are created preciselyaccording to the same project, according to which Paton's masterpiece was erected.
After the war ended, Khrushchev ordered that a car from America be provided to Yevgeny Paton for official use. It was on it that the creator solemnly left first on the new bridge on the day of its opening.
For a long time, the technical masterpiece was subjected to heavy loads, as there was only one road crossing across the Dnieper. The project planned the strength of the bridge about 11 thousand cars a day. However, after a while, after checking, the result of the power pleasantly surprised and delighted. The stock was simply incredible, it amounted to just over 60 thousand cars per day.
At the moment, another reconstruction of the Paton Bridge has already been developed, while it is being considered. It is planned to expand the roadway to 38 meters, which, in principle, is realistic, only if reinforced concrete slabs are replaced with those made of steel. The project also includes a proposal to combat corrosion of all bridge structures made of metal, which will contribute to safer operation in the future.
