The bridge, located along the axis of Lomonosov Street, was constructed in 1785-1787 during the special project of regulation of the Fontanka River course that was marked with construction of permanent embankments and exemplary bridges. So originally the Lomonosov Bridge was a part of a seven bridge system. Today, it is one of only three bridges (the others are Anichkov and Staro-Kalinkin), which have survived from that period. These bridges with typical silhouettes of the arches and opened towers formed the significant architectural ensemble, which was very important for town engineering.
First the bridge was named the Ekaterinensky Bridge in honor of empress Ekaterina and then the Chernyshev Bridge in honor of General G. Chernyshev who played important roles in battles near Narva and Poltava. The original bridge included three identical spans closed off with handsome stone arches. The middle span was designed to draw up to allow smaller vessels and barges to pass through. It was also decorated with four towers made of rhombic-sectioned columns and topped off with impressive spherical cupolas. Metal railings were installed between granite posts.
The bridge is 57 meters long and 14 meters wide. Most historians credit the tower bridges over the Fontanka River, including the Lomonosov Bridge, to French engineer Perrone. The bridge's construction with its four impressive towers uniquely combines medieval design with particularities of Russian late 18th century architecture.
In 1912, the bridge underwent a major reconstruction, which was lead by the architect I. Fomin and engineer A. Pshenitsky. The reconstruction, however, did not change the classical design. Nevertheless, the wooden draw span was replaced with more durable metal beams. Fomin added four stone obelisks constructed according to tradition of Saint Petersburg classicism.