PE “Roads of Serbia“ informs the public that today, 22nd January 2023, at 12:00, the bridge over the river Sava, at Ostružnica, at Sector 3 of the Belgrade bypass, will be opened to traffic.
The bridge over the river Sava, 1.96 kilometers long, was built during the 1990s.
After the construction was completed, it was demolished during the NATO bombing in 1999, without being used for traffic.
The last segment of the steel structure along the left river bank fell into the water, the piers suffered damage, and there were cracks across the slab and the main span cantilevers.
After extensive remedial works, the bridge rose again in 2006, proudly growing from its rubble with the help of hard-working builders.
After the successful completion of the new bridge construction, a “twin“ to the already existing one over the river Sava, conditions were created for the remedy of the old bridge, which had been the only bypass crossing over the river Sava for tens of thousands of vehicles every day for 15 years.
Within the rehabilitation project, after the removal of the asphalt, polymer concrete, and waterproofing, a detailed inspection was performed, the bridge steel box girders, the concrete piers, and the slab were tested and a necessary remedy of the main span structure and concrete accesses on both sides was done. All steel structure surfaces were protected using new anti-corrosion coating, waterproofing was performed, expansion joints and bearing pads were repaired or replaced and the drainage system elements were remedied. The bridge railing was adapted to the new regulations and the vehicle restraint system was replaced, the paving of the carriageway was successfully performed and the horizontal signage was installed.
The works were executed by the company Strabag d.о.о., Project Biro Utiber was the expert supervisor, based on the design and technical documentation prepared by the company Mostprojekt a.d.
The works on the substructure will be carried out under traffic, but the speed will be reduced to 80 km/h during the work execution for the drivers’ and roadworkers’ safety. For those reasons, a speed measuring radar will be installed on the bridge, together with a display featuring the speed and the warning “Slow down”.
The construction of the downstream bridge and the rehabilitation of the old upstream structure now form a complete motorway profile, thus adding to the functionality, safety, and comfort of all traffic participants.
With the opening of the bridge over the river Sava at Ostružnica to traffic, the Belgrade bypass will be in the full motorway profile from Batajnica to the interchange Avala, those being the sectors A and B1-B5.
You can view the statement of Dragan Jocić, the chief supervisor of works on behalf of JP "Roads of Serbia" and the cover at the following link: 22.01.23. Opening to traffic bridge over the Sava river near Ostružnica
