Demolition Not Underway on Tsimbala Overpass, Builders Say

A representative of the company «Vozrozhdenie», which is building the new overpass, commented on rumors about the demolition of the old structure. Work in the area of Farforovsky Bridge is being carried out as planned, but is not related to dismantling its arches.

«Work in the Farforovsky Bridge area has been going on for a couple of weeks in accordance with the schedule, project, and providing »windows« for railway transport,» said Yuri Baranov, head of construction department No. 1 of the Vozrozhdenie enterprise, on January 26. «As for the demolition of the Farforovsky Bridge arches, demolition in 2026 is not planned, and the information spread in the media and social networks is incorrect, as on the night of January 26, work was underway to extract old engineering structures near the object. Hardly anyone is interested in concrete beams that have been lying underground since the 1950s.»

According to Baranov, the existing bridge arches are in emergency condition and pose a threat to train traffic safety.

Earlier, social networks spread messages about the allegedly started demolition of the overpass located at the intersection of Bely Kun and Tsimbala streets. The activity of heritage defenders, who have repeatedly sent applications to KGIOP (Committee for the State Protection of Monuments) to grant the object monument status, led to its inclusion in the register of objects with signs of cultural heritage. This imposes a ban on demolition until the consideration of petitions is completed. As of January 26, the overpass continues to be listed in this register.

The history of the issue includes several key stages:

• Last year, the Tsimbala Overpass was closed to vehicular traffic due to being deemed unsafe.
• Nearby, construction of a new modern crossing is already underway.
• Demolition of the old structure, according to plans, should free up space for laying the line of the high-speed highway from St. Petersburg to Moscow.