Cosăuți-Iampol bridge is nearly complete but won't serve traffic
The temporary bridge over the Nistru, between the localities of Cosăuți and Yampil, is 65% complete, with construction expected to be finished by the end of the year. However, this structure will not provide a new road link between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine for the transport of passengers and goods. According to the authorities, the bridge will be used exclusively for transporting materials needed to build the permanent bridge—a project for which no source of funding has yet been identified.
The Ukrainian company carrying out the work has announced that the temporary bridge has reached the Moldovan bank of the Nistru, and the builders are nearing the completion of the crossing. Of the total 276-meter length, workers have already built 180 meters, with 15 of the 24 supporting metal structures installed.
Each structure consists of eight tubular elements and three ice-protection devices. The roadway will sit about 11 meters above the Nistru level, and construction will use metal beams and reinforced concrete slabs.
Meanwhile, on Ukrainian territory, work on an access road approximately three kilometers long is nearing completion. The next phase involves developing the access route on the Moldovan bank and connecting the bridge to the existing road network.
Temporary bridge cannot be used for general traffic
The temporary bridge is intended to facilitate the construction of the permanent bridge, explained Nicolai Mîndra, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, to Teleradio-Moldova.
"It is a service bridge—a 'technological' bridge—built to assist in the construction of the permanent, 'capital' bridge. It allows for the transport of heavy loads, such as the girders required for the permanent structure," stated Nicolai Mîndra.
According to the official, the issue is not the temporary bridge's load-bearing capacity, but the road infrastructure on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
"The access road passes through local settlements and features very sharp curves; therefore, this bridge cannot be used for large-scale freight or passenger transport. It will serve solely to facilitate the construction of the permanent bridge," the State Secretary said.
Permanent bridge currently lacks funding
The temporary bridge is intended to help revive the main project: building a permanent road bridge across the Nistru. The project requires significant investment, and European support has been sought for its realization.
"This is a long-term construction undertaking, as it constitutes major infrastructure—a bridge reaching heights of up to 40 meters," explained Nicolai Mîndra.
A project launched in 2021
The Cosăuți–Iampol road bridge project was launched in 2021; however, work was subsequently suspended due to a lack of funding, against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Under the division of responsibilities, Ukraine is tasked with constructing the bridge, while the Republic of Moldova is responsible for the access infrastructure on its own territory. This includes building a road to bypass the village of Cosăuți and developing the border crossing point.
To facilitate the project's resumption, the Ukrainian contractor began construction of a temporary service bridge in 2026.
