The Santaka Bridge being built between Užnemunė and Brasta streets has reached another important milestone – the steel deck weighing 6,500 tons has reached both banks of the Nemunas River. It will connect the tunnel with the viaduct and the connecting road on the other side leading to the roundabout. The contractors plan to open traffic on the new bridge by the end of the year.
“The past years in Kaunas have been distinguished by bridge constructions. This is an investment in the city’s future and the daily life of Kaunas residents. A few months ago, we opened the viaduct over the A1 highway. Drivers have already experienced the convenience of the new structure. This week, the Southeastern bypass with a bridge over the Kaunas hydroelectric power plant was also opened.
With the opening of the Santaka Bridge, the construction of two pedestrian and cyclist connections will remain to be completed. One is being built between Nemunas Island and Žemasis Freda, and the other on both sides of the Old Town and Brasta Street. However, we will not stop at these projects alone. Plans include the construction of at least a few more bridges. One of them could connect the Šilainiai and Eiguliai neighborhoods,” says Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis.
The construction of the Santaka Bridge between Užnemunė and Brasta streets is proceeding according to plan. The steel deck weighing 6,500 tons has connected the banks of the Nemunas.
Its welding and “pulling” onto the supports took two years. One hundred workers contributed to the process. A team of ten engineers oversaw the precision of the work.
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At the construction site, the remaining works include concreting the retaining walls of the bridge approaches, installing safety measures, and attaching architectural elements.
The 417-meter-long Santaka Bridge will have a total of four traffic lanes, as well as pedestrian and bicycle paths. It will offer a scenic view of the city.
On both sides of the Nemunas banks, the bridge will be connected by two intersections: on the Brasta Street side – a two-lane roundabout, and on Užnemunė Street, uninterrupted traffic will be ensured by a tunnel and a viaduct.
The contractors plan to complete the main works and open traffic by the end of the year.
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