Traffic around the Crimean bridge has repeatedly seen heavy congestion at the Krasnodar Territory approach, with hundreds of vehicles waiting to cross. Reports from the telegraph channel Crimean bridge: operational information confirm there have been days when the line of cars stretched far beyond the toll booths, and motorists faced long delays as they queued to enter the bridge corridor. Local observers noted that waiting times to pass the bridge could climb to multiple hours during peak periods, causing significant disruption for travelers and freight movements alike.
On the Taman side, the queue has often consisted of hundreds of vehicles. At times, the line has exceeded five hundred cars, while the Kerch side has not reported similarly severe congestion, according to the same operational bulletin. During peak moments, drivers endured extended waits, with some journeys taking much longer than usual due to the accumulation of vehicles at the entrance lanes and the need for thorough checks before entry.
During July, traffic from Kerch toward the Crimean bridge showed notable fluctuations. In one stretch, about 260 cars were held up in a knock-on slowdown, after which the number of stalled vehicles decreased to around 190. The typical waiting period for crossing the bridge settled around an hour when flows began to ease, but conditions could deteriorate quickly if a surge of traffic occurred or if inspection procedures intensified at the entry points.
Since the explosion on the bridge in October 2022, authorities have conducted comprehensive inspections at the bridge’s approaches. These checks were intensified previously as part of a broad safety review, and with the onset of the busy tourist season, vehicles were subjected to closer scrutiny to ensure compliance with safety and traffic rules. The goal has been to maintain safe passage while managing the flow of vehicles, especially during periods of increased travel and hotel occupancy around the region.
The longest recorded queue in recent times occurred on the morning of July 3, when traffic jams lengthened dramatically, reaching an estimated distance of about 13 kilometers. Such extended holds underscored the recurring challenges of balancing security checks with efficient movement of people and goods across the bridge corridor, particularly as seasonal demand rose and travel patterns shifted with holiday periods.
In another incident linked to bridge traffic dynamics, a man previously identified as residing in Petrozavodsk reportedly jumped from the bridge into the river. Authorities have not publicly explained the motivation for the act, but it added to the range of risks motorists face when navigating the route and dealing with heavy congestion. This event highlighted the broader importance of safety measures, mental health awareness, and the need for supportive resources for travelers who encounter stressful conditions on long, crowded journeys.
Overall, the situation at the Crimean bridge remains under close monitoring by traffic and security officials. As the region experiences seasonal travel surges and ongoing maintenance checks, drivers should anticipate possible delays, plan alternative routes when feasible, and stay informed about current conditions through official traffic updates from the operational information channel and related authorities. The commitment to safe, orderly passage continues to guide the management of traffic at the bridge approaches, even as congestion patterns shift with the calendar and the pace of tourism in the area.