Maintaining bridge infrastructure during military operations: Ukraine’s experience

At the time martial law was declared in Ukraine, the legislative and regulatory frameworks did not include a clear procedure for assessing and restoring buildings and structures damaged or destroyed due to military actions. In response, existing normative legal documents were adapted, encompassing the development and updating of regulations that govern the assessment processes, design of restoration measures, and execution of construction works. These modifications aim to ensure a swift and effective response to infrastructure damage. Given the urgent need for rapid bridge restoration, Ukraine actively employed the Design-Build method during 2022-2023. This approach facilitates an accelerated design and construction process by allowing a single contractor to handle both project design and construction simultaneously. A key factor in the successful restoration of transportation networks is the availability of a strategic reserve of modular bridges. These bridges enable the quick reinstatement of damaged or destroyed transportation routes. Experience with constructing temporary crossings has demonstrated that the rapid restoration of routes positively impacts the social and economic aspects of regional life by ensuring uninterrupted access to essential resources and services. Ukraine's experience in maintaining bridge infrastructure during military operations has showcased its ability to swiftly adapt and effectively respond to new challenges. The implemented measures and technologies ensure the reliability and continuity of transportation connections, despite ongoing issues related to funding shortages for restoration. Moving forward, plans include continuing development in this area by focusing on improving the regulatory framework, enhancing assessment and restoration methods, and increasing the strategic reserve of modular bridges and other resources. These efforts aim to enable even faster and more effective responses to any future challenges.