Western High-Speed Diameter
| Western High-Speed Diameter Западный скоростной диаметр (ЗСД) | |
 The central part of the ЗСД shown dotted in the western edges of St. Petersburg. | |
| Route information | |
|---|---|
| Length | 47 km (29 mi) |
| Existed | 2008–present |
| Major junctions | |
| North end | The Beloostrov Interchange with E18, Beloostrov E18 |
| South end | A118 Saint Petersburg Ring Road, Saint Petersburg |
| Location | |
| Country | Russia |
| Highway system | |
The Western High-Speed Diameter (ЗСД, ZSD, Russian: Западный скоростной диаметр) is a toll motorway in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The first section of the road open to traffic was an eight-lane motorway connecting the southern section of the A118 beltway with two junctions at the Kirovsky and Moskovsky Districts, respectively. Other sections of the highway were under construction and eventually formed a corridor through the western districts of St. Petersburg to cross the northern portion of the A118 beltway in Yuntolovo and to meet the E-18/M-10 route at the Beloostrov junction. A new 4-km-long section of the highway was slated to open in late 2011.[1] It connects the northern terminus of the first open segment with the industrial western part of the Kirovsky district which hosts the port of St. Petersburg. A 25-km-long section running from Beloostrov to the Primorsky District was scheduled to open in late 2012.[1] The overall length of the Western High-Speed Diameter highway was projected at 47 km (29 mi) upon the scheduled completion in 2013 - 2014.[1] The initial rate for passenger cars and other two axle vehicles was 30 rubles, with higher rates for vehicles with more axles.[1] A discount is given during the overnight hours (11 pm - 7 am) and for the vehicles equipped with a transponder. WHSD cost 210 billion rubles. In December, 2016 the whole motorway was open for traffic.
Description
The Western High-Speed Diameter is a 46.6-kilometre road with a total length, including all exit and entry ramps and interchanges, of over 70 kilometres. It features 15 interchanges, and its width varies from four to eight lanes. The new road is expected to ease congestion in the historic centre of St Petersburg, the St Petersburg Ring Road and road network, enabling drivers to cross the city in less than 20 minutes.
The main objects of the Central Section of the WHSD
Cable-stayed bridge over the Korabelny Fairway
The bridge has inwardly-inclined pylons, which resemble one of the most known symbols of St. Petersburg – drawbridges.
- bridge length - 620 m,
- length of central span - 320 m,
- bridge undercelarance - 35 m.
Cable-stayed bridge over the Petrovsky Fairway
The deck of the bridge is supported on four planes of cables, which form intricate web-like patterns.
- bridge length - 580 m,
- ength of central span - 240 m,
- bridge underclearance - 25 m.
Double-deck bridge over the Sea channel
The superstructure of the bridge is a 6m-deep truss with spans of uo to 168m, The bridge crosses Kanonersky Island and the main channel to the port at a maximum clearance of 52 m. It is the highest bridge in St. Petersburg.
- ship clearance – 52 m,
- overall length – 720 m,
- central span length – 168 m.
Environmental Impact
Part of the toll highway will run near the Yuntolovo Nature Reserve on the northern outskirts of St Petersburg. From the outset, the road construction project has caused significant public concern about a negative impact on the ecology of the reserve, as well as possible rezoning of areas of the nature reserve for commercial and residential development.[2] Concerned citizens have formed a movement to save the forest and swampland of the nature reserve from harmful construction projects along the route of the new highway.[3]
Awards
The project of the Western High-Speed Diameter received multiple awards, including international ones. The project of creation and operation on the base of PPP of an urban speedway– Western High-Speed Diameter – has become a major world contract in the sphere of road construction and was awarded a number of honorary awards by well-known international economic editions. Thus, in 2013 foreign media called this project “Agreement of the year in the European sector of turnpikes”. Besides, WHSD as the best infrastructural project was marked with the award “The formula of movement” of the RF Ministry of transport, as well as with “Award for development” by Vneshcombank.
References
- ^ a b c d "FAQ on Western High-Speed Diameter" (PDF) (in Russian). Official Website of the Western High-Speed Diameter Project. August 1, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
- ^ Kamchev, Boris (August 22, 2008), "Environmental Groups Picket Toll Highway", The St. Petersburg Times, retrieved October 3, 2011
- ^ Ponomareva, Vera (May 18, 2008). "Western High-Speed Diameter: Strategic Risks of a Strategic Project" (PDF). NGO Issue Paper for Annual Meeting of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development / European Investment Bank. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
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External links
- Website of Save Yuntolovo environmental movement Template:Ru icon
- www.whsd.ru official website of WRD
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