Zatonsky Bridge

The Zatonsky Bridge in Ufa, also called the Old Zatonsky or Safronovsky Bridge (Затонский мост), is a road bridge over the Belaya River at the Safronovskaya crossing, the second one built in the city. It links central Ufa with the Zaton district on the opposite bank and is considered one of the largest bridges in Bashkortostan.

History

Before the bridge, the river was crossed here by ferry: for a long time the Safronovskaya crossing was the only way from this part of the city to the left bank of the Belaya.

The Zatonsky Bridge was built in 1966–1971. The work was done by Bridge Train No. 414 of Bridge Construction Trust No. 4 to a design by engineers Evgeny Sergeevich Ulanov and S. F. Ignatov. It was here that bored piles were first used in the Bashkir ASSR, with the holes drilled by a French drilling machine.

The bridge was repaired in 2009. Over the years its structure wore out, and trucks heavier than 10 tonnes were barred from the old bridge. According to city media, a major overhaul is planned for 2027–2028.

Structure and dimensions

• total length: 837.8 metres;
• piers up to 54 metres high;
• foundations 35–37 metres deep;
• three traffic lanes, all running in one direction.

The Zatonsky Bridge and the New Zatonsky Bridge

In 2013–2016 a second bridge, the New Zatonsky Bridge, was built about 20 metres from the old one. It opened on 7 October 2016 and was designed by JSC Institute Giprostroymost. The new bridge is 836 metres long, has 10 spans, the longest being 130 metres, and also carries three lanes. It cost about 5 billion roubles.

Once the second bridge opened, traffic was split: the old Zatonsky Bridge carries vehicles leaving the city, the new one those entering it. Together the two bridges carry Zatonskoye Highway and Okruga Galle Street and serve as one of the routes out of Ufa towards the M5 Ural and M7 Volga federal highways. Both bridges have trolleybus overhead wires.

Good to know

From central Ufa the Zatonsky Bridge leads to Zaton and on to Zatonskoye Highway. The way back into the city runs over the New Zatonsky Bridge, so the outbound and return trips use different bridges. While the old bridge is under repair, restrictions and changes to the traffic layout are possible, so check them before you travel.