LLC Haskoning originally carried out a technical feasibility study for the project and is now providing project management including role of ‘Engineer’ on nine separate construction contracts worth US$ 2 billion five of which are financed by International Funding Agencies and four by the Russian Federation.
Due to its low elevation, the City of St Petersburg has been plagued by floods since it was founded in 1703. The City is particularly prone to flooding by fast forming, destructive, tidal storm surge floods originating in the Gulf of Finland. In response to this threat of flooding, the Government decided to construct a flood protection barrier across the Gulf of Finland.
The 25.4km long barrier comprises 11 No. rock and earth embankment dams, six water discharge sluices to accommodate outflow from the river Neva and two navigation channels equipped with closing gates. The barrier also incorporates road bridges at each of the sluices, a road tunnel at the main navigation channel, a lift bridge at the secondary navigation channel and a road constructed on the embankment dams. These road works form part of the future ring road around St Petersburg.
The construction works for the barrier started in 1979. Construction of the barrier was suspended in 1987 as a result of concerns about the perceived negative environmental impacts of the barrier on Neva Bay. In 1990 an international commission concluded that the impact of the completed barrier on the environment would be broadly neutral and recommended prompt completion. Financial constraints, however, impeded further progress until 2004 when construction restarted.