Moscow Zoo to be given new pedestrian bridge

A ‘wave’ bridge may soon be built at the Moscow Zoo. The Moscow City Architecture Committee has approved the design concept for a new pedestrian bridge across Bolshaya Gruzinskaya Street. A snow-white openwork structure 12 metres high and 22 metres long will connect the old section of the zoo with the new. The new metal bridge, looking like an undulating wave, will take some load off the existing concrete overpass. The two structures will be close to each other, the new one being 10 metres wide – twice as wide as the old one.

“The designers of the new pedestrian bridge turned to the experience of world-renowned architects for inspiration for a futuristic or biotech style, one that uses natural forms in architecture. A vivid example of this style is the suspension pedestrian bridge Campo Volantin in Bilbao, Spain designed by architect and sculptor Santiago Calatrava,” chief architect of Moscow Sergei Kuznetsov said.

With the new overpass, twice as many people will be able to cross Bolshaya Gruzinskaya to the new section and back. The ‘wave’ bridge will have two branches on each side, that is, there will be two additional exits on each side. The plan is to open the new pedestrian bridge in the autumn of 2018. In the winter, the bridge’s steps and ramps will be heated.

Sergei Kuznetsov added that the existing bridge’s throughput capacity is no longer enough for the numbers of visitors wishing to cross to the other side; on weekends, they have to wait in long lines.

The construction of the new bridge will not damage the pavement and will not harm the flora or interfere with the old concrete bridge during construction.

“The zoo is undergoing major modernisation and improvement. New infrastructure is being built, and existing buildings are being renovated or refurbished for different uses. For example, the Birds of Prey Rock in the old section has been completely rebuilt; a children’s zoo is under construction in the new section; and the Kluyev House, a two-story 19th century mansion, reopened after renovation. Visitors can now attend lectures on biology, zoology and art at the mansion. We are also planning to build a separate insect building for Insectaria and a Lastopods pavilion,” said Svetlana Akulova, Director of the Moscow Zoo.

The zoo’s hours changed on 1 October to 7.30 am to 6 pm. Visitors can buy tickets and enter up until one hour before closing.