Originally he came up with a revolutionary, even on a global scale, innovative idea of all-welding the structure instead of using the traditional riveted design.

Paton urged the designers that such an approach will greatly improve the reliability of the structure, but initially, his idea did not find any support amongst the professionals.

Eventually, his idea of all-welding did receive support, as he was given the go-ahead to start building the bridge by the head of the Ukrainian Communist Party, Nikita Khrushchev, who personally oversaw the entire operation.

However, the construction of the bridge was completed just in time for the 10th anniversary of the liberation of Kyiv and was officially opened on 5 November 1953.

Starting on 1 February 2008, based on the initiative of the Department of Traffic Services, the bridge was equipped with additional lighting.

According to the experts, the bridge's current state does not reflect modern design requirements and is in need of a major overhaul including the spans, waterproofing, welded seams, lighting poles, guardrails and the foundation itself as well.

In addition, the concept of using a concrete divider, similar to the Ontario Tall Wall, as used on the Northern Bridge since 2007, would greatly reduce traffic accidents, especially head-on collisions.