On the morning of October 30, 2026, car traffic resumed on the South Bridge across the Dnipro River in Kyiv. Based on the results of a technical inspection and expertise by the National Infrastructure Development Institute, one lane was opened for vehicles weighing up to 10 tons in the direction from the left bank to the right bank. In the opposite direction—from the right bank to the left bank—traffic on one lane was scheduled to open the same day starting at 5:00 PM. This was announced by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko in his Telegram channel, as cited by RBC-Ukraine.

Decision Made Following Comprehensive Expertise

The restoration of traffic became possible only after the completion of a technical inspection of the bridge structure. Specialists from the National Infrastructure Development Institute analyzed the load-bearing elements and issued a conclusion on the admissibility of partial loads. It was precisely on the basis of these findings that the decision was made to open one lane for vehicles weighing up to 10 tons. Full restoration of traffic in both directions, according to Klitschko, is scheduled for a later date—after the completion of all repair works and a re-inspection.

Repair Works Continue Around the Clock

Specialists from municipal enterprises, together with scientists, are repairing the damaged structures of the South Bridge. Special attention is paid to the elements ensuring the operation of the subway system, as the underground line passes across the bridge. Work is carried out on a 24/7 basis. The mayor emphasized that a comprehensive structural strength assessment is ongoing in parallel with the restoration work, allowing traffic restrictions to be lifted in stages.

City Strengthens Alternative Routes

To compensate for the restrictions on the bridge, specialized municipal services in Kyiv increased the number of buses on duplicate routes. In particular, bus route No. 1M was reorganized into three separate routes, and the total number of vehicles on them was increased to 17 units. Bus No. 3M runs between the Osokorky and Vydubychi metro stations. Starting October 30, trolleybus route No. 48 was launched, connecting the Lisova metro station with the Kurenivka railway station. In addition, the operation of bus routes No. 22 and 91 was optimized to provide more convenient connection along the green metro line.

Context: October 27 Strike

The South Bridge in Kyiv was damaged as a result of a Russian strike on October 27, 2026. Following the incident, traffic across the structure was completely halted, and specialists and scientists began round-the-clock repair works and a comprehensive structural strength assessment. For several days, the bridge remained closed to all categories of transport, creating significant difficulties for residents of the right bank, as the South Bridge is one of the capital's key transport arteries connecting the left and right banks of the Dnipro.