In 1917 the new bascule draw bridge across the Don was opened in Rostov. It embodied the latest engineering advances – two track, three span, bascule draw bridge. It greatly improved passage of large-capacity vessels, increased Southbound capacity of the rail way.
The bridge was designed by Erast Zubov – railway engineer, author of theoretical papers devoted to bridge construction. Various sources give the names of two well-known scientists among the bridge designers – Nikolay Beleluibsky and Grigory Perederi.
The railway bridge across the Don was almost completely destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. In 1945 the temporary lettered fixed bridge was built in its place.
In 1952 a new bridge was constructed in the place of the lettered bridge, and it is used up to now. In 2001 – 2003 the bridge was renovated.
In our days, when at the embankment, you can witness drawing of central bascule of the railway bridge for vessels and barges passage up flow and downflow the Don. It usually happens twice per day: in the morning and in the evening.
