Quick Take: The Last 40 Meters

Construction of the new road bridge between North Korea and Russia is advancing with work on the bridge footings almost forming a land connection between the two countries. Commercial satellite imagery from January 1 shows the construction work has had the effect of temporarily damming the 300-meter– wide river so water continues to flow through an opening just 40 meters wide. Bridge decking material is staged for installation and construction-related infrastructure. 

On the North Korean side, work has begun on a likely customs control point at the end of the bridge, and a likely customs warehouse is being built nearby.  

At North Korea’s border crossings into China, trucks pass back and forth to deposit and pick up goods in warehouses immediately on either side of the border. Trucks generally do not continue further into either country beyond those designated customs areas. This new border crossing into Russia is expected to follow a similar practice. 

The bridge and customs facilities are expected to be completed by mid- to late-2026.