Emergency Crossings Construction in Kyiv
Starting next week, Kyiv will initiate the construction of several backup crossings over the Dnipro River, while long-term plans include exploring the feasibility of an underwater tunnel. This initiative follows recent drone attacks on the Southern and Northern Bridges that caused significant damage, halted traffic, and disrupted vital infrastructure. The Ministry of Restoration, Infrastructure, and Transport of Ukraine is leading efforts to develop alternative routes and enhance the protection of existing bridges.
The construction phase will begin with embankments and pontoon bridges, expected to take up to three months. These temporary crossings aim to handle at least half the daily traffic volume of the current bridges, which serve approximately 600,000 vehicles each day. Specific sites in Kyiv and other regions across Ukraine have been designated for these new crossings.
Long-Term Infrastructure Plans and Bridge Security
In addition to immediate measures, officials are considering a tunnel beneath the Dnipro River as a long-term solution. Such a project could require tens of billions of hryvnias and will depend heavily on support from international partners and donors. Protecting the existing bridges remains a top priority, with extensive resources being mobilized to secure them against further attacks.
"Urgent actions include building the embankment and pontoon crossings, which can be constructed quickly… This work is already underway," said Mykola Kalashnyk, a representative of the Ministry of Restoration.
Kalashnyk also emphasized the financial challenges ahead:
He highlighted the crucial role of aerial defense in safeguarding the bridges, stating, "Our primary task is to ensure protection from the sky, which we are coordinating closely with the military.""We are now starting to seek investments, donors, and international partners… The costs amount to tens or even hundreds of billions of hryvnias."
It is important to recall that drone attacks on October 3, 2026, inflicted severe damage to Kyiv’s Southern and Northern Bridges. The assaults compromised a bridge support, a traffic lane, and the trolleybus contact network, resulting in a suspension of metro and surface public transportation across the Southern Bridge. These events underscore the urgent need for new crossings and reinforced bridge defenses to maintain the capital’s transportation stability and security.
Ensuring reliable transport infrastructure in Kyiv has become a critical security issue amid ongoing hostilities. Damage to key bridges threatens not only commuter movement but also the overall functionality and resilience of the city. The launch of backup crossings and plans for a tunnel reflect an immediate response to safeguard continuous movement of people and goods vital to Kyiv’s daily life and security.
As Kyiv accelerates the construction of temporary crossings, officials are also considering more permanent solutions. The exploration of tunnel options beneath the Dnipro could significantly transform transportation in the region. For more details on these ambitious infrastructure plans, read about the development of backup river crossings and tunnel options.