CRIMEA, RUSSIA (TEH) – In a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin announced plans to construct a temporary bridge parallel to the span of the Crimean Bridge that was damaged in the recent explosions. The temporary bridge will have a length of 250 meters and aims to restore two-way traffic on the bridge. Khusnullin stated that the goal is to reopen one side of the bridge by September 15 and the other side by November 1. He emphasized that the temporary bridge is considered the optimal solution, as the restoration of the second span is not currently feasible using existing technology. This was published on the official Kremlin website.
Khusnullin explained that the plan involves lifting the damaged spans of the bridge using heavy-duty cranes. The technical aspects of this process have been largely defined, and the necessary structures and headquarters have been assembled. Design work has already commenced to support the implementation of this plan.
During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister also briefed President Putin on the organization of movement to and from Crimea, including the establishment of additional security checkpoints and the lifting of the 24-hour curfew. Khusnullin highlighted the efforts to streamline document control and expedite the verification process for entry and exit from Crimea and the Rostov region.
Following the collapse of the Crimean Bridge span, alternative sea and land communications were promptly organized. Ferries were deployed to facilitate sea transportation to the peninsula, while land routes via Rostov-on-Don and corridors through Mariupol, Berdyansk, and Melitopol were established. Sergey Romashkin, Vice President of the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) and Managing Director of the Dolphin travel agency, stated that although Crimea may experience a decrease in tourism, with up to 100,000 tourists affected weekly, travelers using train services will not be significantly impacted as the rail infrastructure remains intact.
Footage of the arrival of the first cars on the Crimean bridge after the resumption of traffic on it. pic.twitter.com/a2E8Q9g7BP
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In response to the attack on the Crimean Bridge, President Putin assured that there will be a response, and the Russian Ministry of Defense is already working on a specific plan. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary, previously stated that the response would involve achieving the objectives of the military operation in Ukraine. As investigations continue, the focus remains on restoring the vital transportation link and ensuring the safety and convenience of the people in the region.
