On November 8, 2026, traffic was partially resumed on the Northern Bridge in Kyiv, one of the key crossings over the Dnipro River. This was announced by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on his Telegram channel, with RBC-Ukraine, UNN, and other media outlets referencing his statement. The decision on partial opening was made based on the results of a technical inspection of the structure carried out by specialists following the nighttime Russian ballistic missile attack on the night of November 7.
Traffic Regime: What is Permitted and What is Restricted
Traffic on the bridge is allowed with temporary restrictions that vary depending on the direction. From the left bank to the right bank, traffic moves along a single lane exclusively for public transport; passenger cars are not permitted to travel in this direction. From the right bank to the left bank, two lanes are open for both public transport and passenger cars. Thus, bus traffic is being restored across the Northern Bridge, which is critically important for passenger transportation in the capital.
Reasons for Closure: Consequences of the Ballistic Strike
The Northern Bridge was urgently closed to traffic in both directions on the night of November 7, 2026, as a result of an attack by Russian forces during which several ballistic missiles hit the structure. According to city authorities, the strike damaged the road surface, the trolleybus contact line, and power transmission lines. Until the technical inspection and assessment of the scale of destruction were completed, travel across the bridge was completely suspended, creating significant difficulties for residents moving between the banks of the Dnipro.
Reversible Traffic on Paton Bridge
Concurrently with the restoration of the Northern Bridge, city specialists are working on introducing reversible traffic on the Paton Bridge in the coming days. As the city administration explained, this measure will increase the capacity of another operational crossing over the Dnipro and partially compensate for the restrictions on the Northern Bridge. The city authorities promised to publish specific details regarding the organization of the reversible traffic scheme additionally on official channels.
Alternative Routes and Infrastructure Context
During the period when the Northern Bridge was completely closed, Kyiv residents were advised to use alternative routes across the Dnipro, in particular the Podilskyi Bridge Crossing. Experts note that the partial restoration of traffic on the Northern Bridge will significantly relieve congestion on the remaining crossings and return a significant portion of public transport to service. At the same time, the full restoration of the bridge, including the repair of the trolleybus contact line and power lines, will require additional work and time.
