The Crimean Bridge, A Monument of a New Era in Russia

Introduction

The Crimean Bridge is remarkable structure, linking the Russian mainland to the Crimean peninsula across a series of breathtaking, intertwining arches and forming a bridge of great beauty, both historically and visually, uniting two formerly divided parts of Russia. The bridge was officially opened on May 15th, 2018 and has earned the approval of both Russian citizens and foreign visitors, alike. As one of the great technological feats of our time, the bridge is symbolic of the new era of prosperity in Russia, and the geopolitical changes that are taking place in the region.

Background

Geographically, Crimea is a region of great importance, linked to both the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Historically, it had been part of Russia until the year 1954, when it was given to the Ukrainian government. With the events in 2014 and the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the region once again became a part of the Russian Federation. The Crimean Bridge was conceived under this new geopolitical reality, and aimed to bridge the divide between Russia’s mainland and the formerly detached Crimea.

The Building Process

The project was constructed under the watchful eye of the Russian government, construction beginning on the mainland side of the bridge on February 2nd, 2016. The process was overseen by its principal designer, Arkady Appolonovitcht and was a joint venture between the Russian Ministry of Transport, the Crimean manufacturer Mostotrest, and the Chinese company CCCC Dredging. As the bridge was constructed, a series of causeways that branched off from it were also built, forming both roadways and railroads along the newly formed peninsula.

The Challenges

From its beginning, the project was met with many challenges. For example, the bridge has been built to cross the Kerch Strait, a narrow body of water with a maximum depth of 30 metres, meaning that shallow-draft vessels could not pass through it. To overcome this issue, the project collaborators had to build the structure in two phases, starting with a section of the bridge over rainwater, and then delving down to a level of 36 metres in order to enable vessels to pass by.

Conclusion

The Crimean bridge has been a symbol of Russia’s nationalist renewal, and a technological wonder that stands as a reminder of the human capacity to conquer and tame the most challenging of obstacles. From the engineers who designed it, to the workers who constructed it, the bridge is both a testament to Russian resilience, as well as an example of great regional cooperation between Russian and Chinese construction firms. It is an important marker of the new era of prosperity that Russia and its neighbours are experiencing.