Even serious problems with bridges will not cut off the left bank of Kyiv from the right, believes architect and engineering expert Oleg Grechukh. However, traffic jams and interruptions can complicate daily commutes, so the city and businesses should prepare alternatives in advance. He shared this in an interview with NV Business.
Why the Bridges of Kyiv Pose a Risk for Daily Commuting
«There will be no total transport collapse, where it will be absolutely impossible to cross from one bank to another, under any circumstances», — stated Grechukh. For critically important transportation, he says, other solutions can be sought, including ferry crossings.
The biggest challenge for the capital is not only the condition of the bridges but also the daily flow of people between the banks. In the morning, hundreds of thousands of Kyiv residents travel from the left bank to the right, and in the evening they return home. When crossings operate with restrictions, this usual rhythm quickly turns into traffic jams and delays. Against the backdrop of traffic restrictions on the bridges of Kyiv, the city is already forced to change transport schemes.
What Solutions Does the Expert Suggest for Kyiv
Grechukh believes that authorities and employers should reduce the city’s dependence on trips across the Dnipro. Among possible measures, he mentioned:
- shifting some employees to remote work;
- local relocation of teams closer to their place of residence;
- reserves of fuel, food, and medicines on both banks;
- reducing the number of private cars on the bridges.
The last point is also important for the operation of emergency services. «If we remove unnecessary private transport from the bridges, it will immediately relieve the crossings and open corridors for emergency services, military, and critically important cargo», — emphasized the engineer.
Backup crossings, remote work, and local reserves can mitigate the impacts of interruptions, but they alone cannot replace a full-fledged transport network. After attacks on the bridges, Kyiv has already faced how quickly restrictions affect routes and trips between banks. Among the options to enhance connectivity, the city is considering the construction of backup crossings, however, such solutions require time. Preparing logistics in advance will help to reduce the load on the bridges if their operation needs to be restricted.