Preparatory work has begun in Kyiv for the construction of two temporary pontoon bridges across the Dnipro, which are intended to provide an alternative link between the left and right banks of the capital. Construction of the bridges is scheduled to be completed in three to four months, approximately in February or early March 2027. This was announced by Volodymyr Kreidenko, a Member of Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. The project is being implemented in case the existing bridges are damaged as a result of Russian attacks.
When will the pontoon bridges be built in Kyiv?
Vladimir Kreidenko He reported that preparatory work on the construction of access roads to the future crossings is already under way.
According to the MP’s estimate, the installation of the pontoon structures will take approximately three to four months. He suggests that the countdown should begin at the end of October, when preparations for the project actually began.
«Sometime in February or early March. I believe it is realistic to build such pontoon bridges and create an additional way of connecting the two banks,» said Kreidenko.
The government has already adopted a resolution simplifying the procedure for constructing temporary crossings. However, the MP did not mention when the actual installation of the pontoon structures would begin.
2.2 billion hryvnias have been earmarked for the new crossings
According to Kreidenko, 1.2 billion hryvnias from the state budget are to be allocated to the project. A further 1 billion hryvnias is to be provided by Kyiv.
At each of the two crossings, there are plans for at least one lane in each direction. The possibility of providing two lanes for passenger cars is also being considered.
The MP’s statement does not disclose the specific locations of the pontoon bridges.
Will pontoon bridges be able to replace the existing crossings?
According to figures provided by the MP, approximately 600,000 vehicles use Kyiv’s road bridges every day. The new bridges have been tasked with handling at least half of this traffic.
At the same time, Kreidenko himself doubts that the two pontoon structures will be able to handle around 300,000 vehicles a day.
The MP emphasised that such crossings are needed, first and foremost, as a contingency plan in the event of further attacks on transport infrastructure.
The issue of alternative transport links between the two banks came to the fore following the Russian strike on the North Bridge on 7 November. The following day, traffic across the bridge was partially resumed, although temporary restrictions were put in place.
