Penza, 17 September 2013. PenzaNews. The opening ceremony of the first part of the bridge over the river Sura and the railroad dedicated to the celebration of the 350th anniversary of Penza was held on Tuesday, September 17.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

The opening ceremony of the object being constructed as a part of the federal target program for the destruction of chemical weapons in the Russian Federation was attended by the representative of the Russian president in the Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich, the governor of the Penza region Vasily Bochkarev, the first deputy head of the Federal department for safe storage and destruction of chemical weapons Igor Kondakov, the chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the region Ivan Belozertsev, the head of Penza Yuri Alpatov, as well as the representatives of construction companies and the public.

“This is not just a grand, but also a very exciting day because today we are opening the first starting complex of the overpass. I remember one and a half years ago Vasily Botchkarev and I came to the construction site and saw what stage it was at and how much more there was to do, and that was in fact the climax of the economic crisis, and it was very difficult to find the resources. However, understanding the importance of this object, including the safety of people living in village Leonidovka, and the transport infrastructure of the city, after the report to the President of the Russian Federation, it was decided to find an opportunity to complete the construction,” Mikhail Babich said at the opening the ceremony.

The representative of the Russian President addressed some words of gratitude to the construction workers.

Mikhail Babich also informed the audience that the construction of the bridge is expected to be fully completed by the third quarter of 2014, and the final cost of the project will amount to 7,5 billion rubles.

In his speech, the governor of the Penza region Vasily Bochkarev noted the contribution, made by the Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Mikhail Babich, who, according to him, decided to assist the city after having visited the facility.

“This overpass will help us to develop the right bank of Penza, where there is plenty of gas and electricity service lines. In addition, the overpass will improve connection between the regional center and Zarechny, some of the residents of which work in Penza. The opening of this bridge has become a gift for the 350th anniversary of the city,” the head of the region said.

According to the first deputy head of the Federal department for safe storage and destruction of chemical weapons Igor Kondakov, the bridge has a symbolic meaning for every person since it is yet another step towards qualitative change in the life of citizens.

“Development of the industry directly depends on the state of roads, the modern bridges are not only the embodiment of engineering experience, but also beautiful architectural landmarks. And the bridge being constructed here today is an example of this,” he said.

At the end of the ceremony, Mikhail Babich and Vasily Bochkarev cut the red tape.

The bridge was opened by the representatives of construction companies involved in the construction of the strategic facility.

The bridge-overpass over the river Sura and the railroad are 1,603 meters long. The facility provides two lanes in each direction, as well as three in and out roads.

The first commissioned part includes the main body of the bridge, two in and two out roads — in Zlobina, Serdobskaya, Uritskogo streets, engineering facilities, including the local sewage treatment plant, transformer substation, outdoor and architectural lighting.

The second part to be commissioned includes one in and one out road — in Zlobina and Serdobskaya streets.