Kyiv to build reserve Dnieper crossings, tunnel considered

Kyiv plans to begin construction of reserve dams and pontoon crossings across the Dnieper River next week, with a tunnel also under consideration, according to Ukraine's Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport, Mykola Kalashnik. The primary priority remains strengthening and protecting existing bridges, but the reserve structures are seen as a quick alternative in case of damage. Construction of these embankment dams with pontoon crossings could take up to three months, with locations already identified. The infrastructure aims to handle at least half of the capital's current daily traffic load of 600,000 vehicles, involving the ministry, restoration agency, military, and city authorities. The plans follow recent Russian attacks on Kyiv's Northern and Southern bridges, which damaged roadways and disrupted transport. The ministry is also considering prefabricated concrete structures and a tunnel under the Dnieper, though these projects would cost tens or hundreds of billions of hryvnias and require international donor support. Similar reserve facilities are planned for other regions.