Iconic Arch of the Old Sava Bridge Removed After 82 Years

Many will probably happily sing the lyrics of the song "April in Belgrade" in the future, but one of its verses will no longer have its "location", the one that says "beneath the Sava Bridge while dusk is approaching..." Since the last segment of the Old Sava Bridge, and the most recognizable one, the famous green arched structure, was removed yesterday from the pillars on which it stood for 82 years.

As announced earlier, this segment, along with previously removed parts, will be transported to a temporary location, reportedly a steel fabrication and testing facility in Batajnica, where it will be refurbished before being relocated. Though not yet confirmed, the arch is expected to be reinstalled between Zemun’s riverside and the island of Lido.

The estimated weight of the metal structure is around 1,400 tons.

With the removal of the final segment, which was famously saved from Nazi destruction by teacher Miladin Zaric, the site is now fully cleared for the construction of a new, higher-capacity arch bridge. The project is being designed by the Faculty of Technical Sciences (Novi Sad), Mostogradnja ing doo, Millennium Team, and IO Design Enterprise. Construction is led by PowerChina, with supervision by Louis Berger Adria and CPM Consulting. Completion is scheduled for 2027, though city officials have suggested the bridge could be finished by late 2026 or early 2027.

We remind our readers, that the Serbian Parliament approved a EUR 79.9 million loan for the project in autumn 2022. The loan, insured by China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, was signed with BNP Paribas. As stated at the time, the total project cost is EUR 94 million. This amount will be payed to the main contractor, PowerChina. The loan will cover up to 85% of total cost.

Over the years, the final location of the Old Sava Bridge has been widely debated. Proposals included placing it in Usce Park as a place for cultural events, or converting it into a pedestrian and bike bridge between Block 70 and Ada Ciganlija. However, the most likely outcome is relocation to Zemun, linking the Danube riverbank with Lido Island.

Since it became clear that the bridge will be dismantled, eight years ago, many Belgrade residents and experts have strongly opposed its removal, citing its historical value and questioning the practicality of dismantling a still-functional crossing amid growing traffic congestion. Ther were several proposals to expand the structure, or preserve it as a cite of historical heritage, but they were all rejected by both city and national authorities.