Kyiv's Paton Bridge at Zero Structural Integrity: Why Repairs to the Unsafe Landmark Keep Stalling

The Critical Condition of the Yevhen Paton Bridge

According to Главком: The Yevhen Paton Bridge in Kyiv, a vital transport artery, is in a critical technical state. The structure has been declared non-functional, with its remaining structural integrity assessed as zero. Despite a decision for its restoration being made back in 2018, repairs have yet to begin. The bridge has been in an emergency state since 2017 and is now 72 years old. This situation is particularly alarming for a city whose infrastructure faces immense daily strain.

A recent inspection by the V.M. Shymanovskyi Institute of Steel Structures documented new, dangerous facts confirming the structure's perilous condition. Emergency incidents occurred in both 2018 and 2019, highlighting an ongoing safety threat. Traffic is now restricted to the outer lanes, and vehicles weighing over 6 tons are prohibited from using the bridge.

The bridge's designed capacity is 10,000 vehicles per day, yet in recent years, it has been handling up to 120,000 vehicles daily-a staggering overload that has accelerated its deterioration.

Repair Delays and Expert Assessments

Kyiv City Council appointed the Kyivavtodor corporation as the contracting authority for the work. However, in 2020 and 2021, the company canceled tenders for developing project documentation three times. Consequently, repairs to the Paton Bridge have still not commenced, a delay that deeply concerns engineering experts.

Vyacheslav Bohdanov, a specialist in mechanics, notes: 'My colleagues are frankly surprised it's still open for use. Repairs on the Metro Bridge have finally started, yet the Paton Bridge somehow isn't receiving the urgent attention it deserves, even though every day of delay risks catastrophic consequences.'

He further emphasizes that corrosion is relentlessly consuming the structure, adding that 'if we don't take care of it now, in about five years it could be too late.' The threat of partial or complete collapse is very real, especially given the corrosive damage to its load-bearing elements.

The Paton Bridge, which was the world's first all-welded road bridge, stretches 1,543 meters. Recognized by the American Welding Society as an outstanding welded construction of the 20th century, it has been part of Ukraine's State Register of Immovable Monuments since the 1990s.

Given the bridge's critical state and the uncertainty surrounding repair timelines, safety concerns remain paramount. The Metro Bridge, built in 1965, has already received necessary repairs, raising further questions about the response time for the Paton Bridge. With over 28,000 bridges and overpasses in operation across Ukraine, urgent measures are needed to ensure safety and preserve this structure's historical value. The critical state of the Paton Bridge is a source of major concern for experts and the public alike, as its failure could have severe repercussions for Kyiv's traffic safety. Responsible authorities must act immediately, considering not only public safety but also the preservation of Ukraine's unique architectural heritage.