Russia’s first aluminium road bridge has opened to traffic, according to the Russian Aluminium Association.
The 72m bridge carries the Tolokontsevo–Mogiltsy motorway over the Linda River in the town of Bor in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The span beams are made of 25-42mm wide orthotropic plate made of 6082T6 aluminium alloy, which can resist high operational loads.
The aluminum bridge over the Linda River, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Credit: Russian Aluminium Association
The advantages of aluminium in bridge construction are that the material is lightweight, reducing the need for heavy equipment. Aluminium bridges can be delivered in kit form, too, which is cost effective. Aluminium alloy is also low maintenance as it does not corrode.
The Nizhny Novgorod Region already has two aluminium pedestrian bridges. And across Russia, there are 18 bridges with aluminium structures in operation, with a further 63 being designed, including some for export.
