Traffic on the Crimean Bridge was temporarily halted, with officials issuing guidance through the Operational information of the Crimean Bridge Telegram channel. The pause underscored how weather conditions and security protocols can influence a stretch that carries goods and people between the peninsula and the mainland. In moments like these, authorities emphasize the need for patience as crews assess conditions and ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians who may be on the span or in adjacent inspection zones. The halt did not reflect a broader disruption to regional transport infrastructure, but rather a measured response designed to protect travelers and maintain orderly movement across the route.
Those on the bridge and in the inspection zone were urged to stay calm and to follow the directions given by transportation security officers until officers advised otherwise. This directive aligns with standard operating procedures that prioritize clear communication and orderly crowd management when unusual conditions arise. The emphasis on calm conduct helps prevent congestion and reduces the risk of miscommunication, allowing enforcement and maintenance teams to proceed efficiently once the situation is assessed.
Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Crimea, Nikolai Lukashenko, noted that ferry services in the Kerch Strait were halted due to strong winds. Weather-related service suspensions are a common precaution in maritime operations and road-rail corridors that rely on cross-strait links. The decision to suspend ferries reflects a cautious approach to safety, ensuring that wind gusts do not compromise vessel stability or passenger safety while alternative transport arrangements are considered.
Prior to that, the press service of Uprdor Taman stated that more than two million vehicles were projected to pass through the Crimean Bridge during 2023, including approximately 1.9 million passenger cars. These projections highlight the corridor’s significant role in regional mobility and logistics, serving both daily commuters and commercial traffic. The bridge’s throughput goals underscore its importance in supporting economic activity and regional connectivity over the past year and beyond.
Five years after the facility opened, the Crimean Bridge had facilitated the passage of 24.318 million vehicles. This milestone reflects sustained use and growing confidence in the bridge as a reliable link between the peninsula and the Krasnodar Territory. The cumulative figure also signals expanding traffic patterns and the bridge’s integration into the broader transportation network that supports residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The milestone stands as a marker of achievement in a project often described as transformative for regional mobility.
The Crimean Bridge connects the Crimean Peninsula with Russia’s Krasnodar Territory, spanning 19 kilometers and standing as the longest bridge in Russia. The automobile section opened on May 15, 2018, with passenger car and bus movement commencing the following day. By late 2019, the first trains began running from the mainland to the peninsula, marking the transition from road-only access to a multi-modal crossing. The structure has since become a central artery for daily life, commerce, and regional travel, shaping patterns of movement and economic activity across the region.
Historically, the project has been regarded as a landmark endeavour within Russia’s infrastructure portfolio. In discussions within the State Duma, it has been described at times as a road project of the century for Russia, reflecting broad expectations about its impact on regional development, tourism, and strategic connectivity. The discussion surrounding the bridge’s role emphasizes not only its engineering feats but also its influence on mobility, regional resilience, and long-term planning for transportation corridors that span seas, steppes, and urban centers.