Paton Bridge Deemed Operational, Yet Academy of Sciences Warns of Critical Condition

State of the Yevhen Paton Bridge

According to Главком: A 2025 technical inspection has concluded that Kyiv's Yevhen Paton Bridge remains fit for use, provided strict weight limits are enforced. However, Vyacheslav Bogdanov, First Vice President of Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences (NASU), has issued a stark warning, stating the structure is in a critical state.

"The technical condition of the Paton Bridge has reached a critical point," Bogdanov said. "According to the academician, continued use of the structure without urgent repairs could lead to catastrophic consequences."

The inspection was carried out by the V.M. Shymanovskyi Ukrainian Institute of Steel Construction and the municipal enterprise Kyivavtoshliakhmist. The bridge, now 72 years old, has been in an emergency state since 2017, with incidents occurring in 2018 and 2019. The most recent annual inspection documented new, alarming findings. This vital crossing over the Dnipro River is a key artery for the capital's traffic.

Safety Measures in Place

To ensure safety, weight restrictions have been in effect on the bridge since 2020. Vehicles with an axle load exceeding 7 tons are prohibited. The maximum mass for a single vehicle must not surpass 17 tons, and the mass for vehicles in a convoy is limited to 10 tons. Traffic organization has also been altered:

• From the right bank to the left bank – two lanes;
• From the left bank to the right bank – three lanes.

Further safety measures involving repairs are planned. These include:

• Cleaning the main girders of the span structures;
• Reinforcing sections of the railing fence;
• Repairing and strengthening the granite slabs of the parapets;
• Pothole repair of the asphalt concrete roadway;
• Sealing cracks;
• Repairing expansion joints;
• Removing the decorative cladding on the left-bank entrance column.

The bridge's critical state and need for urgent repair are causing significant concern among experts and local authorities. Given its role as a crucial transport link for Kyiv, any delays in repair work could lead to major traffic disruptions. Actions to improve the bridge's condition must be prioritized to ensure the safety of residents and the vehicles that use it daily.