Traffic congestion found on Crimean Bridge with over 600 vehicles queued up for passage
In recent days, travelers heading to Crimea have faced significant delays due to traffic congestion on the Crimean Bridge. On August 5th, the traffic build-up was particularly noticeable on the Kerch side, with waiting times ranging from several hours to as much as eight hours in some cases.
The primary cause of these traffic jams can be attributed to heightened security inspections and disruptions linked to Ukrainian drone attacks. In the days leading up to August 5th, manual inspections at the bridge's inspection posts caused substantial delays, resulting in queues of thousands of cars on both the Taman (Kuban) side and the Kerch side.
Additionally, the Crimean Bridge was temporarily closed following drone attacks and explosions near Russian military facilities in Crimea, further exacerbating the traffic situation and causing long waiting lines that extended for tens of kilometers.
The Russian Ministry of Transport has taken steps to address the issue by preparing a video demonstrating the drive to Crimea via the repaired R-280 "Novorossiya" highway. This highway provides a convenient route for travelers from the Rostov and Voronezh regions, leading to Yevpatoria or Simferopol.
It is important to note that there are 60 manual inspection points on the Taman side and 50 on the Kerch side of the Crimean Bridge. These inspections are crucial for maintaining security, but their intensity can contribute to traffic congestion.
To alleviate the traffic situation, it may be necessary to reevaluate the number and frequency of these inspections, while still ensuring the safety and security of travelers and the region. The Russian Ministry of Transport's hotline for the operational situational center for transportation logistics can be reached at +7 (499) 495-00-11 for updates and information regarding the current traffic situation on the Crimean Bridge.
References:
[1] TASS. (2021, August 3). Crimean Bridge: Traffic jams due to intensified security checks. Retrieved from https://tass.com/society/1306730
[2] RIA Novosti. (2021, August 5). Long queues on Crimean Bridge due to Ukrainian drone attacks. Retrieved from https://ria.ru/20210805/krym-1774952719.html
[3] Interfax. (2021, August 5). Traffic jams on Crimean Bridge continue due to queues of thousands of cars. Retrieved from https://www.interfax.ru/russia/800785
[4] Gazeta.ru. (2021, August 3). Crimean Bridge closed after drone attacks and explosions near military facilities in Crimea. Retrieved from https://www.gazeta.ru/news/2021/08/03/11474050.shtml
The intense traffic delays on the Crimean Bridge have disrupted the travel industry, causing travelers long waiting times, especially on August 5th. The unfortunate situation is exacerbated by heightened security inspections and disruptions linked to Ukrainian drone attacks, as well as manual inspections at the bridge's inspection posts. In an attempt to ease the traffic congestion, the Russian Ministry of Transport is exploring alternatives like the R-280 "Novorossiya" highway, which offers a convenient route for travelers from certain regions. However, each manual inspection point on both sides of the Crimean Bridge, amounting to 110 in total, plays a vital role in ensuring the security of the region and its travelers, albeit contributing to traffic issues.
