Kyiv plans to start construction of backup dams and pontoon crossings across the Dnipro River next week. This was announced by Ukraine's Minister of Restoration, Infrastructure, and Transport Mykola Kalashnyk in an interview with Suspilne. The initiative comes in response to heavy Russian missile and drone strikes targeting the capital's critical transport infrastructure, including recent attacks on the Northern and Southern bridges.
Protection Strategy and Timelines
According to the minister, strengthening existing bridges remains the top priority, but locations for backup embankments and pontoon bridges have already been selected as a quick alternative. The construction is expected to take up to three months, involving the Ministry of Restoration, the Agency for Restoration, the military, and municipal authorities.
Capacity and Tunnel Prospects
The temporary infrastructure is intended to handle at least half of the capital's current daily traffic load of 600,000 vehicles. In the long term, the ministry is also considering building a tunnel under the Dnipro River and using prefabricated concrete structures, subject to financial support from international partners and donors due to the massive costs involved.
Contradictory Data
While government statements outline an aggressive timeline to begin construction next week and complete it within three months, independent infrastructure experts express skepticism. Some analysts point out that engineering logistics and bureaucratic coordination under active wartime conditions could cause significant delays compared to the optimistic official projections.
