It was proposed to change the course of the Rustovka River in Nizhny Novgorod.

      July 17, 2025, 10:00 AM

      [192]

      Society

      In Nizhny Novgorod, public discussions have begun regarding the draft planning and land surveying project for the area necessary for the reconstruction of the hydrotechnical tunnels of the Rzhevka River. The documentation is available on the city hall's website. You can participate in the discussions until July 21 — either in person at the Leninsky District administration or remotely via the GISOGD system.

      The project covers the area bounded by Shlisselburgskaya Street, Zarechny Boulevard, and the Rzhevka Riverbed. According to the documentation, the existing open riverbed is in unsatisfactory condition: in most places, it is filled with construction debris and blocked by dams. As a result, preserving the current riverbed has been deemed impossible.

      Designers proposed partially straightening the riverbed and placing it in an open channel two meters wide. Simultaneously, the existing tunnel with a diameter from 1.3 to 2.3 meters will remain — it will be used to pass spring floodwaters. In adjacent areas, plans include raising the ground level to non-floodable marks, installing anti-erosion coatings, and sowing grass.

      In two sections, the new channel will cross tram tracks. At these points, crossing structures will be built on earthen embankments with the installation of reinforced concrete culverts. The work will be carried out openly with temporary tram traffic closures.

      The project also includes the reconstruction of one of the branches that was decommissioned after the collapse of the tunnel vault in 2010. Currently, the drainage flows through a temporary line, which is planned to be dismantled. Four other branches totaling 2.29 km — within Golubeva, Bauman, and Matrosskaya streets — are to be decommissioned. This will be done via plugging with the removal of shaft structures.

      As part of the reconstruction, new tunnels are planned to be built. Their installation will be carried out both openly and using tunnel boring machines. The total length of the reconstructed sections will be 3.68 km, including two new branches of 228 and 622 meters.

      It is noted that the proposed structures will become part of a system of drainage and stormwater channels, integrating water drainage from the Kanavinsky, Autozavodsky, and Leninsky districts of the city. The entire system aims to protect against flooding and discharge water into the Oka River. The project has the status of a line facility of local significance.

      It was previously reported that the total length of the hydrotechnical tunnels of the river is 7,406 meters, with storm drain network connections of 650 meters. Additionally, the complex of culverts includes various shafts and two spill structures. In 2023, a tender was held for the development of design documentation for the reconstruction using the Nizhny Novgorod city budget.

      It was also revealed that the start of construction of the Nizhny Novgorod Lenin Avenue bypass will depend on the reconfiguration of the Rzhevka hydrotunnels.

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