Construction of new Sava bridge also slowed by low Danube water levels: Crane stuck in Constanta

The construction of the new bridge in Belgrade on the site of the Old Sava bridge has slowed down in the past four months, after the construction site was temporarily closed in April due to an accident that killed one of the workers. An incident in which a crane fell damaged one of the steel elements, which caused a delay of several weeks in the assembly of the structure. According to the contractor, the Chinese company PowerChina, the dynamics of this project are dictated by the construction of the pillars in the river, and not the work on the steel structure, which is why the delay is not expected to significantly affect the overall implementation deadlines.

The assembly of the structure is still not taking place at full capacity because the delivery of a new crane from China is awaited, while in the meantime the steel elements that have arrived are being enlarged and prepared for installation. Only after the arrival of the new crane will it be possible to lift and examine the damaged element, in order to determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. According to available data, almost all the steel parts of the bridge are already at the construction site, the delivery of cables (tensioners) is awaited, and about 2,600 tons of steel have been installed in the structure so far, which represents close to 40% of the total weight of the new bridge.

Transport by Danube hampered

The new crane intended for the construction site on the Sava River was sent from China and is currently in the Romanian port of Constanta. Although it was planned to reach Serbia by Danube, drought and low water levels forced the contractor to change plans and provide road transport for the remaining part of the journey. The crane is expected to be delivered to Belgrade in mid-August.

On the other hand, the work on the pillars is being carried out under strict protection measures against unexploded devices, which further complicates the execution in the field. Three out of a total of four shore pillars have been completed, and work is currently focused on two pillars in the riverbed, which represents the most demanding part of the job. On the pier towards Savski Venac, all pile driving has been completed, and a month ago, the installation of the embankments, temporary watertight structures that are placed in the river around the place where the bridge pier is to be built, began. So far, about 50% of the piles on the first embankment, which will be 19 meters deep, have been placed. On the river pier closer to Novi Beograd, pile work is still ongoing, and 16 out of a total of 21 piles have been driven so far, while the embankment is expected to be formed in September.

Work on the access route to the new bridge is also underway, with the greater volume of work being completed on the New Belgrade side so far. On the Savski Venac side, the pouring of another pillar and part of the retaining wall remains, while on Novi Beograd, the retaining structure is in the final phase and will be ready for the construction of the embankment. Although the original deadline for completion of the works has already been passed, the authorities announce that the end of the project can be expected in the first half of next year. However, the precise date will only be known in the coming period.

Power Construction Corporation of China Limited Ogranak Beograd

PowerChina

Old Sava Bridge Belgrade

new Sava bridge Belgrade

construction of new Sava bridge in Belgrade

Port of Constanta