New bridges across the Dnipro to be built in Kyiv: when the first crossings will open

Ukraine plans to build an 21 alternative bridge crossing after massive Russian attacks on transport infrastructure. Work has already begun in Kyiv, and the first new bridges across the Dnipro are expected to be operational in early 2027.

This was written by the Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, Mykola Kalashnyk, who spoke during the government question hour.

Ukraine has begun creating alternative transport crossings over rivers, including across the Dnipro. This is necessary because of systematic Russian strikes on bridges that complicate road connections between different parts of cities.

According to Mykola Kalashnyk, over the past month Russian forces repeatedly attacked the bridge infrastructure of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Kharkiv.

In response, the government approved a plan for the rapid construction of alternative bridge crossings. In total, the creation of 21 crossings in various regions of Ukraine is envisaged.

In the capital, construction work has already started. The first bridges are planned to open in early 2027.

International partners are being involved in implementing the projects, helping with materials and funding.

In particular, support is being provided by American donor organizations and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Thanks to this, the Ukrainian side expects to reduce construction costs.

In addition to building new crossings, the government is strengthening protection for existing bridges against Russian attacks.

Mykola Kalashnyk reported that bridge crossings are among the priority objects for protection. Protective measures are being developed and implemented jointly with the military.

On certain sections, anti-drone nets are being installed. According to the minister, such structures do not guarantee complete protection but can delay a drone, entangle it, or prevent it from hitting its target.

Another way to ensure connections between the banks of the Dnipro in Kyiv could be ferry crossings.

According to the official, the capital has approximately 20 units of river transport that could potentially be used for transportation.

Work is currently underway to restore ferry service between the left and right banks of the city.

Particular attention is being paid to restoring the Southern Bridge, which previously handled a significant portion of vehicular traffic across the Dnipro.

According to Kalashnyk, of about 600 thousand vehicle movements across the six bridge crossings in the capital, around 150 thousand were accounted for by the Southern Bridge.

Thus, before the damage, it provided roughly a quarter of vehicular connections between the banks.

During Russian attacks on the bridge, several hits were recorded at different locations. Two Kyiv metro lines were also damaged, which further complicated the transport situation.

After receiving the expert assessment, traffic on the Southern Bridge was partially restored. Currently, vehicles can travel in one lane from the left bank to the right.

Passage is allowed for passenger cars, public transport, and vehicles weighing up to 10 tons.

At the same time, the green metro line does not operate up to the Vidubychi station. Because of this, the number of surface public transport vehicles on that route has been increased.

Specialists have already prepared conclusions regarding the condition of the Southern Bridge’s supporting structures and the necessary repair work.

The next task remains restoring vehicular traffic in the opposite direction — from the right bank to the left.

In addition, Member of Parliament Volodymyr Kreidenko announced plans to install at least two new mobile bridges in Kyiv. According to him, their installation could take three to four months, and for full use of the crossings additional access roads will need to be arranged.