Kyiv's Paton Bridge, Long Deemed Unsafe, Now Cleared for Use

The Condition of the Yevhen Paton Bridge

According to Главком: Kyiv's Yevhen Paton Bridge, now 73 years old, has been classified as non-operational since 2018. Over this period, its residual lifespan has been exhausted. Originally designed for a 100-year service life, the structure now endures a daily traffic load of 130,000 vehicles-ten times its intended capacity. The metal of its cross beams shows corrosion in sections, and the reinforced concrete roadway slab periodically sags. This bridge is a critical artery for the capital's transport network.

Tenders and Transfer of Ownership

Three tenders for the bridge's restoration have been announced in recent years, but all were canceled by the Antimonopoly Committee. The last tender, launched in 2021, was called off due to the imposition of martial law. In early 2022, ownership was transferred from the municipal enterprise to the Ministry of Infrastructure, and by 2025, it was under the management of the state Agency for Restoration. After 2025, the bridge was returned to municipal ownership.

Despite these extensive issues, as of March 5, 2026, the Kyiv City Department of Transport Infrastructure announced the bridge has been deemed suitable for continued use. The assessment of its fitness was provided by experts from the V.M. Shymanovsky Ukrainian Institute of Steel Construction and the municipal enterprise Kyivavtoshliakhmist. Oleksandr Shymanovsky noted:

“The bridge cannot collapse to such an extent. A catastrophic, avalanche-like failure will not occur at this facility. Something partial may happen, as was already observed in 2018–2019.”

Thus, the question of the bridge's safety and future operation remains pertinent, given its long history and current state.

The situation with the Yevhen Paton Bridge underscores the critical need for timely infrastructure maintenance, especially under extreme strain. While currently approved for use, the prolonged neglect of necessary repairs could lead to more severe problems ahead. This issue demands ongoing attention from state authorities to ensure public safety and the stability of Kyiv's transport system.