Reconstruction of Sõpruse Bridge given green light
Tartu City Government Press Release
/ The Tartu City Council confirmed TREF AS the winner of the tender for the reconstruction of Sõpruse Bridge and the nearby area, thus approving the complete renovation of the bridge.
Five companies participated in the tender for the reconstruction of Sõpruse Bridge, with the lowest bid submitted by TREF AS in the amount of EUR 18,376,376. The bridge will be financed with EUR 2.8 million of European Union co-financing intended for the promotion of cycle and pedestrian traffic.
The reconstruction will be carried out in two stages, with construction expected to start this year. In the first stage, reconstruction will begin on the city centre side of the bridge, with traffic in both directions being transferred to the Ihaste side of the bridge. In the second stage, reconstruction will move to the Ihaste side of the bridge, and traffic will begin moving on the newly renovated section. Construction is expected to last 28 months, with the renovated bridge expected be completed by the spring of 2027.
At the heart of the new solution to the Sõpruse Bridge is consideration of all road user groups and ensuring their safety. To create the necessary space, the bridge will be widened on both sides, and pedestrians and cyclists will be separated from the carriageway by barriers and a safety zone. Planned along the edges of both sides of the carriageway are 2.25-metre-wide two-way cycle tracks. Footpaths will be two metres wide.
Two-lane traffic will be maintained in both directions and the speed limit will be lowered to 40 km/h to create a safe and pleasant environment. Lowering the speed limit reduces the chances of serious injury in traffic accidents and creates a calmer traffic environment for others road users. Separating cars, cyclists and pedestrians from each other with safety zones will reduce the risk of collisions and create clear traffic corridors for each group of road users.
During the construction work, the bridge’s girders will be renovated, their connection points repaired, and the foundations of the bridge’s girders will be replaced with steel rubber support parts. Other major works are the construction of waterproofing, the construction of joints, and the reconstruction of handrails and lighting.
In addition, the entry and exit ramps on the Karlova side and the connections to Turu, Kalevi, Raua, Aida and Rebase streets will also be rebuilt. A tear drop-shaped roundabout will be built on the Karlova side of Sõpruse Bridge. Cycle tracks will also be built in the direction of Karlova for all turns coming from and leading to the bridge. Stairs leading to the bridge will be reconstructed and, in addition, two new staircases will be built to make it easier for pedestrians to use the bridge.
Last changed 12.11.2024
