Paton Bridge in Kyiv Reaches Critical Condition
The Yevhen Paton Bridge in Kyiv has been in a state of emergency requiring urgent repairs since 2017. The V.M. Shymanovskyi Institute of Steel Structures, which has monitored the structure since its opening in 1953, has outlined a series of essential works to ensure the bridge's safety and prevent potential disasters. Despite this, the Kyiv City State Administration's Department of Transport Infrastructure reported that as of March 5, 2026, the bridge was deemed suitable for continued use. This vital crossing over the Dnipro River is a key artery for the capital's traffic.
The First Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Vyacheslav Bogdanov, confirmed the critical need for repairs, stating the bridge's technical condition has reached a dangerous threshold. The structure is now 72 years old, having opened to traffic in 1953.
Oleksandr Shymanovskyi: 'The Yevhen Paton Bridge in Kyiv can still be saved. Accidents and irreversible consequences can be prevented. If we do not waste time.'
Essential Repairs Required
The necessary work to improve the bridge's condition includes:
- reinforcing the outermost main beams (upstream and downstream) on support pier No. 25,
- repairing intermediate support piers No. 11 (above-water section) and No. 21 (underwater section),
- repairing or replacing cross beams,
- restoring the bracing of the span structures,
- repairing lighting poles and the parapet railing,
- replacing expansion joints.
Executing these measures is critically important for ensuring traffic safety and extending the operational life of this crucial piece of Kyiv's transport infrastructure. The prolonged state of disrepair and the bridge's importance to the capital's connectivity demand an urgent resolution. Expert recommendations indicate that failure to act could lead to serious consequences impacting road safety, making the implementation of this repair plan a top priority for the city's security and reliability.