Kyiv plans to build two reserve bridges for pedestrians and passenger cars

To ensure the capital's transport resilience amid military threats, preparations are underway in Kyiv to create alternative routes across the Dnipro. As People's Deputy Volodymyr Kreidenko stated, the construction of at least two reserve bridges is planned. These structures are designed to accommodate pedestrians and passenger cars, but they are not intended for heavy or freight vehicles.

Limited capabilities of the new crossings

The main goal of the project is to maintain connectivity between the city's left and right banks in the event of serious damage to existing infrastructure resulting from Russian attacks. According to Kreidenko, the new structures will be lightweight. However, their throughput capacity will have clear limitations: the movement of freight and other heavy vehicles is not envisaged.

Status of construction works

Discussions regarding the need for reserve bridges gained urgency following statements by Mykola Kalashnyk, the Minister of Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport. On 3 October, he stated that the construction of alternative crossings was to begin the following week. At that time, the minister explained that one of the quickest solutions was the installation of embankment dams with pontoon crossings.

Preliminary estimates by the ministry indicated that the implementation period for such structures would be up to three months. It was envisaged that the reserve bridges would ensure at least 50% of the throughput capacity of the existing crossings. However, as of 22 October, there is no confirmed data on the actual start of major construction works. Previously, ministry representatives only informed about the conduct of preparatory measures. Exact dates for the start of construction and the commissioning of the crossings have not yet been determined.

Context: attacks on infrastructure

The issue of finding alternative routes became critical following Russian strikes on the capital's bridges in early October. On 2 October, damage and traffic restrictions in Kyiv caused massive congestion. Some residents were forced to cross to the other bank on foot, while public transport temporarily changed its routes.

Previously, Volodymyr Kreidenko also expressed an initiative regarding the implementation of other transport solutions, including the use of ferries, the organisation of contraflow traffic, and the creation of special hubs near the bridges. However, the reserve structures will not be able to fully replace the existing capital bridges, particularly in terms of transporting heavy cargo.