Ukraine's Post-Winter Road Repairs to Cost Billions, Ranging from 12 to 50 Billion Hryvnias

Rebuilding Ukraine's Roads

According to Главком: Serhiy Sukhomlyn, head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, has announced that repairing Ukraine's roads after winter will require between 12 and 50 billion hryvnias. Specifically, 12-14 billion hryvnias are needed to bring international and national highways up to standard, while 40-50 billion hryvnias are planned for the restoration of local roads, factoring in the demands of military logistics. These extensive repairs are critical for maintaining both civilian mobility and the nation's defense supply chains.

Major work on international routes is scheduled for completion by June. Sukhomlyn noted that 95-98% of the work involves pothole repair, but it will be conducted using new methods.

We are talking about pothole repair for 95-98% of the work. However, this can also be done differently: we are essentially moving away from simple patching and transitioning to using large milling machines to cut off the top layers of asphalt. This type of surface will then last 3-5 years without additional expense.

- Serhiy Sukhomlyn

Regional services have already conducted a preliminary survey of the road surface condition after the snow melted. A more detailed inspection is planned for April in cooperation with the police. The average cost of repairing one square meter is 1.2 thousand hryvnias. Last year, half of the funds were directed to construction near the front lines, and contractors have already begun emergency repairs. The volume of repair work averaged between 1,000 and 1,500 square meters. Last week, the average daily repair rate was 25,000 square meters, with a target of 50,000 square meters per day set for this week. Yesterday, 60,000 square meters were repaired, and by the end of March, the goal is to reach 120,000 square meters per day.

Warranty Periods and Funding

Ukraine has 717 roads with warranty periods of three to five years. An initial inspection identified 83 sections requiring warranty service. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that 52 billion hryvnias are needed for road repairs. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has disclosed funding details and the cost structure, while the Cabinet of Ministers has calculated the cost of pothole repairs for state and local roads. The State Audit Service is conducting an inspection of the Kyivavtodor municipal corporation.

For 2024-2025, funding for the road fund was virtually absent, underscoring the importance of the planned road repair and infrastructure restoration measures in Ukraine. Expenditures on capital repairs of municipal roads have increased sharply, indicating the urgent need for action in this sector.

Given the critical state of Ukraine's road infrastructure and the needs related to military logistics, the planned expenditures for road restoration are of particular importance. The adoption of new repair methods, such as asphalt milling, could improve road surface quality and reduce the need for frequent repairs. It is crucial that the implementation of these plans proceeds on schedule and with proper funding to ensure the safety and efficiency of transportation across the country.