An unusual event unfolded in Yekaterinburg when contractors accidentally asphalted over a section of tram tracks. This led to a tram derailing, temporarily disrupting public transport. Service was fully restored within five hours, and fortunately, no injuries were reported as the tram was not operating at full capacity.
The derailment occurred because workers had inexplicably paved over the tram lines with asphalt during nighttime road maintenance. How the crew managed to miss the tracks remains a mystery, leading to an unusual scene where several vehicles queued due to the blockage.
Crews are currently working to rectify the situation by breaking up the newly laid asphalt to uncover the tracks. City officials attributed the “technological malfunction” to the contractors` work. The municipal transport company, “Gortrans,” plans to seek compensation for the incurred damages and operational costs.
Sergey Ledovsky, editor for Business FM Yekaterinburg, provided further details on the incident:
Sergey Ledovsky
Editor, Business FM Yekaterinburg“It was a routine road resurfacing. Workers were simply renewing the asphalt and, apparently, got carried away, paving over the tram tracks on a section of the road. Consequently, no grooves were left for the wheels, and one of the trams derailed there in the morning. A bypass was quickly organized: some trams were rerouted, others changed their movement. Within five hours, everything was restored at the site, and the tracks were cleared of asphalt.
As noted by the mayor`s office, a technological failure occurred during the contractor`s work. The possibility of claiming damages for the expenses is now being considered. Traffic, as reported by news agencies, has been restored, but trams are moving slowly on this section due to heavy traffic. In social media comments, people didn`t particularly complain that their work plans were significantly disrupted or that someone was late for work. I didn`t find anything like that. It`s quite a funny situation.”
The mishap took place in the large Uralmash district, on Pobedy Street. Fortunately, no one was injured during the tram`s derailment. The tram was reportedly traveling at 7 AM and was not crowded.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth