Could pontoon crossings save Kyiv if its bridges are closed?

Temporary pontoon crossings could potentially be constructed across the Dnipro River in Kyiv should the city's bridges encounter significant issues, according to Oleh Hrechukh, an architect and engineering expert. These specialized pontoon units, equipped with the necessary machinery, are not considered impossible tasks in engineering.

Hrechukh pointed out previous instances of such solutions in Ukraine, such as a temporary crossing built next to a destroyed bridge on the Desna River, which was utilized by vehicles. In a critical situation, a similar crossing could be constructed across the Dnipro.

However, Kyiv's Dnipro River presents additional challenges due to its width and riverbed characteristics. The river has widened after the construction of dams, creating water barriers stretching several kilometers. This makes it difficult to build a traditional bridge across the Dnipro. Nevertheless, there are islands and natural narrow points where temporary crossings could be established if necessary.

The main challenge lies in Kyiv's transportation network, as major roads, metro lines, and railways converge at key transport hubs not always located near the narrowest sections of the Dnipro. Despite this, the expert believes that this is an entirely solvable engineering challenge.