Kyiv plans to build combined water crossings across the Dnipro River, along with access roads to them. The cost of the project is estimated at 1 billion hryvnias. This was announced by capital Mayor Vitali Klitschko, noting that the issue was considered at the city's Defense Council. According to him, the initiative belongs to the state, and the government has already adopted a corresponding resolution.
Defense Council Decision and the Role of Military Command
As Klitschko explained, among the issues submitted for consideration by the capital's Defense Council was, in particular, the implementation of the project to build combined water crossings across the Dnipro and access roads to them. The mayor emphasized that the specific locations for the crossings will be determined by the military command, and approval will go through the Kyiv City Military Administration. Thus, the choice of locations is subject primarily to security requirements and operational necessity.
Funding: The City Allocates 1 Billion Hryvnias
At the government's recommendation, Kyiv itself will undertake the project's financing. "The city, upon the government's recommendation, will find the funds — UAH 1 billion for this project," Klitschko stated. This means that the construction of crossings and access communications will be implemented at the expense of the city budget within the framework of the already adopted government resolution.
Bridge Security Amid Infrastructure Strikes
In addition to crossings, the Defense Council discussed the security of the capital's bridge structures in light of intensifying enemy strikes on critical infrastructure. According to Klitschko, specialists from specialized city institutions are developing additional technical solutions to preserve the structures of the bridge crossings across the Dnipro, and proposals from the military were heard on this issue. Several media outlets also report that, as part of ensuring throughput capacity across the river, the construction of backup dams and pontoon crossings is being considered, and in the perspective — the laying of a tunnel.
Context: Night Attack and Damage to the South Bridge
Decisions on backup crossings are being made against the backdrop of ongoing shelling. On the night of October 27, Kyiv was subjected to a ballistic missile attack: as a result, the South Bridge and the subway infrastructure located on it were damaged. Traffic across the bridge was temporarily blocked in both directions, and subway operations were altered. Such incidents emphasize the need for alternative ways to cross the Dnipro that do not depend on the condition of the main bridge crossings.
