The paper considers the reasons for reducing the load-bearing capacity of bridge structures. Factors affecting the feasibility of major bridge repairs are identified and some ways of their implementation are analyzed. An improvement of one of the modern methods of repairing bridge beams – pasting them with carbon lamellas is proposed. The improvement essence is the use of a device for tensioning reinforcing belts and the proposal to use carbon fiber lamellas as puffs, similar to Sprengel puffs. The method consists in stretching the lamella along the lower edge of the beam edge and fixing it using the developed anchor, not by gluing.