Congestion near inspection checkpoints on the bridge across the Kerch Strait was observed throughout the weekend and continued to build up on August 4.

By 7:00 AM, 1,780 vehicles were waiting in line for manual inspection from the Taman side.

By 9:00 AM, the traffic jam had grown to 1,820 vehicles. The waiting time is approximately four hours. On the Kerch side, 146 vehicles are in line for manual inspection.

According to “Yandex Maps” at 9:20 AM, the traffic jam near the bridge from the Kuban side stretched for 18.4 km. The congestion begins near Komendantskaya Mountain at the 121 km mark of the A-290 highway.

As reported earlier, approaches to the Crimean Bridge were congested as early as Saturday morning. On Sunday, drivers waited for manual inspection for about five hours.

For drivers waiting in line, 11 bio-toilets have been set up along the route.

On the morning of August 4, the queue near the Crimean Bridge from the Kuban side continued. By 6:00 AM, 1,580 vehicles were in line for manual inspection from the Taman side.

Crimean Bridge

The Crimean Bridge, also called the Kerch Strait Bridge, is a 19-kilometer road and rail bridge connecting Russia’s Krasnodar Krai with the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Completed in 2018 (road) and 2019 (rail), it was built after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea to strengthen transport links, replacing a Soviet-era ferry system. The bridge holds strategic and symbolic importance but has faced sanctions, attacks, and structural challenges due to the region’s political tensions.

Kerch Strait

The Kerch Strait is a narrow waterway connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, separating the Kerch Peninsula of Crimea from Russia’s Taman Peninsula. Historically significant for trade and military strategy, it has been controlled by various powers, including ancient Greeks, Byzantines, and the Russian Empire. In recent years, it gained geopolitical attention after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge in 2018.

Taman

“Taman” is a historical region in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, located on the Taman Peninsula between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It was the site of the ancient Greek colony of Hermonassa and later the medieval Tmutarakan, a key trade center of the Kievan Rus’. Today, it is known for its archaeological sites, Cossack culture, and the Taman Bay.

Kerch

Kerch is a historic city on the eastern coast of Crimea, known for its strategic location on the Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Founded over 2,600 years ago by ancient Greeks as *Panticapaeum*, it later became part of the Bosporan Kingdom and has been ruled by Byzantines, Ottomans, and Russians. Today, it is a significant port city and home to archaeological treasures like the ancient *Royal Kurgan* and the *Mount Mithridat* ruins.

Yandex Maps

Yandex Maps is a popular online mapping service developed by Yandex, Russia’s leading technology company. Launched in 2004, it provides detailed maps, navigation, and real-time traffic data primarily for Russia and neighboring countries, though it also covers some international regions. The service integrates features like street view (Yandex Panoramas), public transport routes, and business listings, making it a key tool for local and international users.

Komendantskaya Mountain

Komendantskaya Mountain, located in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, is a historic and cultural site known for its role in the defense of the city during the 1854 Crimean War. It served as a key artillery position, helping repel an Anglo-French attack. Today, it offers panoramic views of Avacha Bay and features memorials honoring its military past.

A-290 highway

The A-290 highway, also known as the *Autovía del Noroeste*, is a major motorway in Spain connecting the cities of Murcia and Cartagena in the southeastern region of Murcia. Completed in 2007, it was built to improve transportation and economic links between the two cities, reducing travel time and congestion on older routes. The highway plays a key role in supporting regional commerce and tourism in this historically significant area, which has been inhabited since ancient times.

Kuban

Kuban is a historical and cultural region in southern Russia, primarily located along the Kuban River and known for its fertile lands and Cossack heritage. It was traditionally inhabited by the Adyghe people before becoming a center of the Kuban Cossacks in the 18th and 19th centuries under Russian rule. Today, Kuban is an important agricultural area and retains a distinct cultural identity, blending Russian, Cossack, and indigenous influences.