News

Canada can manage reconstruction of ”nuclear” bridge in Severodvinsk

Publish date: May 27, 2005

Canada will apply for a grant from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development to repair the bridge used to ship spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste from Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk.

Canada is ready to work closely to solve the problem of Yagra bridge over Severnaya Dvina River connecting Yagry Island, where nuclear submarines are being dismantled, with mainland in Severodvinsk. In particular, Canada will ask the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development to give a grant for the bridge reconstruction from the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership. Canada also stated that it’s ready to manage this project, Interfax reported with the reference to the Canadian ambassador’s speech in Severodvinsk.


The source in Severodvinsk administration said the bridge is called ”nuclear” as the trains shipping out the spent nuclear fuel from Zvezdochka shipyard to Mayak plant in the South Ural, use it. The bridge was not originally designed for heavy trains loaded with spent nuclear fuel and the grant from the EBRD could help to solve this problem within one year. It is also planned to build a new bridge 12 meters away from the existing one and use it exclusively for the trains in the future. The old bridge will be repaired and the road for cars will become from 7 to 9 meters wider. This project costs about $15m and can take 30 months. The specialists guarantee nuclear and environmental safety of the bridge, Interfax reported.