- Place
- Kaunas City Municipality
- Region
- Kaunas
- Type
- suspension footbridge over the old Nemunas channel
- Address
- Nemunas Island, Kaunas
- Coordinates
- 54.89337, 23.91314
- Visit duration
- 10-20 minutes to view it from the city side; crossing is currently impossible because of repairs
- Best time
- in daylight, from Karaliaus Mindaugo Avenue or Nemunas Island approaches, following temporary closure signs
Kaunas Simona Daukantas Bridge
The bridge's purpose and current closure
Simonas Daukantas Pedestrian Bridge crosses the old Nemunas channel between central Kaunas and Nemunas Island. It is an independent footbridge, not part of King Mindaugas Bridge and not another name for the whole island. Its location matters because the daily route to the island park, events, and sports spaces long passed over this suspended structure.
The bridge has been closed for major repairs since June 2026. Kaunas City Municipality says that the structures, stairs, and lighting are to be renewed, and that pedestrians cannot pass during the works. The municipal notice plans completion by autumn 2027, but check the latest notice before travelling because the schedule and fencing may change.
A 1988 suspended urban landmark
The Ąžuolynas Library source dates the bridge to 1988 and gives its length as 151 m. Tall rectangular pylons, taut cables, and a gently curved pedestrian deck make it recognizable from the river bank, even though the repair zone currently restricts access to the deck itself.
The Ąžuolynas Library description names Algimantas Sprindys as the bridge's architect. Its restrained engineering composition is defined by the pylons, cables, railings, and lighting that form a clear silhouette above the water.
The bridge in the Nemunas Island landscape
From the city side, the bridge looks like a direct line from the Karaliaus Mindaugo Avenue river bank into the island's greenery. The old Nemunas channel is narrower here than the main river flow, so the structure sits between city paving, water, and trees. Photograph it from public banks without crossing fences or entering the repair area.
The closure does not make Nemunas Island inaccessible, but it changes the route. The municipality lists approaches from Karaliaus Mindaugo Avenue near the Carmelite Church and from the directions of A. Mickevičiaus, Maironio, and I. Kanto streets. These routes are not equally short, so allow extra time on event days or when visiting the island.
Jurgis Kairys's flight beneath the bridge
The Kaunas municipal notice recalls an acrobatic flight by pilot Jurgis Kairys beneath this bridge roughly three decades ago. That episode became part of the city's story, but it is not a normal way to visit and does not mean that the bridge is designed for aviation or recreational stunts.
For visitors, the important experience is the view from ground level: tall pylons, a rhythm of cables, and a deck suspended over water create a sense of lightness and risk at once. Do not climb the railings, and during repairs photograph only from permitted public places.
Repair plans and a realistic visit
The major-repair plan includes replacing the current concrete tiles with granite paving to match the surface of Simona Daukantas Street. It also includes work on the structures, stairs, and lighting. The works are still planned, so the granite surface and other changes are not yet available to visitors.
The access coordinates are 54.8933716, 23.9131433, but the pedestrian crossing is closed during repairs. Plan the route from the riverbank and follow barriers and signs, because the coordinates do not mark a temporary passage or alternative entrance.
