Rebuilding the Crimean Bridge After a Terrorist Attack: A Modern Day Restoration Effort
The four damaged spans of the Crimean bridge, each weighing about 300 tons, were repositioned in a controlled sequence, with the final sliding completed on November 19. Asphalt concrete was laid at the end of the prior month, signaling the start of a robust road resurfacing phase that aims to restore full traffic flow across this critical link.
Crews faced challenging conditions during the repair window. Storms blocked work on 22 of the 56 available days, testing the team’s resolve. Nevertheless, a dedicated workforce of around 500 people operated around the clock, supported by three floating cranes, four barges, and 31 attachments. The scale of the task reflected the bridge’s importance to regional connectivity and resilience in the face of disruption.
That day, alongside President Vladimir Putin, officials inspected the restored right-hand lane of the Crimean bridge, which had endured the consequences of a terrorist attack. Four rafters had been replaced to restore structural integrity. The logistical effort involved rapid delivery of 1,214 tons of metal structures—originating from Voronezh, Kurgan, and Tyumen—and the transport was escorted by traffic police to ensure smooth, uninterrupted progress. Builders completed the repairs in a brisk 56 days, far quicker than typical timelines that can extend to half a year or more, according to statements attributed to Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin via his Telegram channel. (Source attributions: TASS, RIA Novosti, Telegram/Marat Khusnullin.)
In a further directive, Putin ordered the preparation of the left side of the bridge, which had also been damaged during the attack, to be returned to working condition and brought up to perfect standards. The aim was a seamless, safe corridor that could support regular traffic and ensure ongoing national connectivity between Crimea and the rest of Russia.
During the visit, the head of state spoke with workers involved in the bridge project and stressed how vital a reliable roadlink is for Crimea to function as an integral part of the country. For the ride itself, Putin selected a Mercedes-Benz sedan and maintained a steady pace of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour, reflecting a measured approach to inspecting the rebuilt infrastructure.
Reference
On October 8, the Crimean Bridge car section experienced a terrorist attack when a truck exploded, resulting in fatalities and fires that involved fuel tanks of a train. Two spans of the two-lane road from Krasnodar to Kerch collapsed, while the peninsula-to-mainland stretch remained operational. By that evening, passenger car traffic on the remaining line and trains had resumed. The builders were tasked with fully restoring the transport and technical infrastructure of the Crimean bridge by December 1, 2023. (Source details attributed to TASS, RIA Novosti, and Telegram updates from Marat Khusnullin.)
A picture: Mikhail Metzel, Sergey Savostyanov / TASS
Video: YouTube
Vote – win Lada!
Readers are invited to participate in the Behind the Wheel Grand Prix poll to help identify the top car novelties of the year. Those who take part may be eligible to win one of three prizes in the drawing. The chance of winning is open to all who complete the survey, with a cutoff before the end of February 2023.