On the morning of Monday, November 9, large-scale traffic jams occurred on the left bank of Kyiv on roads leading towards the right bank. Long queues formed at public transport stops, and some city residents tried to reach the other side of the Dnieper on foot.
Local Telegram channels reported on the difficult transport situation, publishing photos and videos from various districts of the capital.
The situation is especially difficult on the approaches to the Paton Bridge and on roads leading from the left bank to the right bank. According to eyewitness reports, a huge traffic jam formed from Darnytska Square in the direction of the crossings over the Dnieper.
On Troieshchyna, particularly on Chervonoi Kalyny Avenue, passengers report overcrowded stops and the impossibility of boarding public transport. According to local residents, buses arrive already full, forcing people to let the transport pass and wait for the next one.
Some Telegram channels published videos showing people walking across the Pivnichnyi Bridge towards the right bank. Meanwhile, social media messages are spreading about the alleged complete closure of the crossing.
At the same time, the city authorities announced on November 8 about the partial resumption of traffic on the Pivnichnyi Bridge after a technical inspection. According to the established plan, from the left bank to the right bank only passenger transport is allowed in one lane. In the opposite direction, public transport and passenger cars can use two lanes.
Thus, for ordinary passenger cars, crossing the Pivnichnyi Bridge from the left bank to the right bank remains restricted. Police are diverting freight transport on the approaches to the crossing via the Podilskyi Bridge crossing.
The restrictions were introduced after the Russian attack on the night of November 7, when the Pivnichnyi Bridge was damaged. In particular, the road surface, trolleybus contact network, and power line were damaged. Initially, traffic on the crossing was completely closed in both directions.
To relieve the transport network, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is introducing backup connection plans between the banks of the Dnieper from November 9. In particular, the Paton Bridge will have reversible traffic: from 07:00 to 10:00, three of the five lanes will operate towards the right bank, and from 16:00 to 20:00 - towards the left bank.
On the Pivdennyi Bridge, trucks moving from the left bank to the right bank will be diverted around via the Darnytskyi Bridge. No additional restrictions are planned for passenger and public transport according to the announced plan.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vyhivskyi reported that the number of police crews for traffic control in Kyiv has been significantly increased. Law enforcement officers are to control the most congested areas and help drivers on the approaches to the bridges.
Drivers are urged to take into account the temporary restrictions, follow the instructions of traffic controllers, and plan routes considering possible delays. The duration of morning traffic jams and the time of full restoration of traffic on the Pivnichnyi Bridge have not yet been clarified.
Based on materials from: "Kyiv Operatyvnyi", Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Vitali Klitschko
