Urgent tunnel repairs force closure of 6 Kyiv metro stations for 6 months
The metro tunnel between Demiyivska and Teremky in Kyiv has been closed for urgent repairs since Friday. Accordingly, the six metro stations on this section – Demiyivska, Holosiyivska, Vasylkivska, Vystavkovyi Tsentr, Ipodrom, and Teremky – will work only as shelters for the next six months.
"Due to the need for urgent repairs on the running tunnel between Demiyivska and Lybidska stations, train traffic on the Obolonsko-Teremkivska metro line will take place between Heroyiv Dnipra and Lybidska stations. Train traffic on the section between Lybidska and Demiyivska will have to be completely stopped until the work is completed," the Kyiv City State Administration press service reported.
The decision was made by Kyiv's Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergency Situations.
The mayorship explained that the tunnels are at risk of collapse "due to uneven processes of densification, vibration creep around the soil body and load on the tunnel frame."
The tunnels on this site were built in 2008-2010 on a difficult site – in the floodplain of the Lybid river with artificial water lowering.
"According to preliminary calculations, restoration work will last about six months and will be carried out on the surface of the earth. During this time, specialists plan to conduct the necessary surveys, research and engineering searches, with the determination of the causes of the emergency situation, and to carry out urgent measures to stabilize the structures and the corresponding restoration work," reads the KCSA message.
Passengers who previously used the metro in this area will be forced to transfer to ground transport – special routes will be launched there from the Teremky metro station to the Lybidska metro station.
Initially, it was planned that the site would be closed from Saturday, but it had to be done immediately, starting today.
The metro section, which is closed for urgent repairs, is the newest in Kyiv. These stations were opened during the time of Viktor Yanukovych in 2010-2013.