In November 2024, Terebovlia celebrated the opening of a new bridge over the Hniznа — built "from scratch" in 10 months at the cost of the European Investment Bank to replace an emergency crossing over 90 years old. In less than a year and a half, the city is being closed off at the same location again. However, this time — officially for major repairs of the adjacent section and approaches, and at the expense of a different European structure.
What and When
From 08:00 on June 2, 2026 to 08:00 on June 2, 2027, traffic on the M-19 section (km 354+689 – km 355+566) within Terebovlia is completely restricted for all types of transport. The Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service in Ternopil Region reports that the temporary traffic scheme has been agreed upon jointly with the patrol police.
"On one of the main transport arteries connecting Ukraine with Europe, we will carry out major repairs of the bridge and its approaches. Approximately 15,000 vehicles pass through here daily."
Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service in Ternopil Region
The repair work is being carried out as part of an international project under the transboundary cooperation program Interreg NEXT Poland–Ukraine 2021–2027 — full name: "Improving transboundary mobility through the construction of regional road No. 627 Kosiv Lyatski – Sokolov Podlaski and major repairs of the bridge in Terebovlia."
Two Detours — Depending on Vehicle Type
Traffic schemes for cars and trucks differ:
- Cars and buses — via municipal streets of Terebovlia. Delay: approximately 10–15 minutes. Temporary signs and information boards will be installed throughout the route.
- Trucks and oversized vehicles — long route via neighboring state roads: via Buchach or Hrymailov depending on direction of travel. Additionally: 30–40 km and up to an hour of travel time.
Why This Is More Than Just a Road Announcement
M-19 Domanove – Kovel – Chernivtsi – Terebletche is one of the key logistics corridors heading west and to the border with Romania. Closure for 15,000 vehicles per day for a year — this means congestion on Terebovlia's municipal streets and additional costs for cargo transit. At the same time, this is the first time in Ternopil Region that a major road infrastructure project is being implemented directly at EU expense, rather than through the state budget.
Context: The previous bridge in this location was built before World War II — it stood for over 90 years and had transverse cracks in the span structure, longitudinal cracks in the reinforced concrete slab, and supports with no reinforcement on wooden piles. The new one was built in 10 months in 2024 — 48.7 meters long, 12.8 meters wide, two lanes and sidewalks on both sides.
If the repair of the approaches is indeed completed by June 2027 — Terebovlia will receive a completely renovated node on the international route for the first time since the 1930s. The question is different: will the city's municipal streets withstand a year of transit traffic of 15,000 vehicles per day — and who will be responsible for their condition after the bridge reopens.
