site.btaUPDATED Ruse-Giurgiu Bridge Overhaul Making Very Good Progress, PM Glavchev Says

"The overhaul of the Ruse-Giurgiu Bridge over the Danube is making very good progress," caretaker Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told journalists here on Friday.

Glavchev and Regional Development and Public Works Minister Violeta Koritarova inspected on site the traffic through the Ruse-Giurgiu Border Crossing Checkpoint.

The PM pointed out that the bridge had not been repaired since its construction 70 years ago. The whole bridge is regarded as a cultural landmarks.

Glavchev added that, thanks to synchronization with the Romanian side, the traffic through that border crossing is the same as before the repair began.

Minister Koritarova said that the foundations of the viaduct are already being laid, which is the most difficult part of buildinf this section. "We are making progress. The contractor is doing well and at the request of the Prime Minister, consideration will be given to optimising the schedule and completing sooner in order to facilitate traffic," Minister Koritarova said.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Glavchev also visited the platform of the ferry that will connect Bulgaria and Romania. It is expected to become operational soon and to ease traffic by about 30%. The Bulgarian side is fully prepared to launch the Ruse-Giurgiu-Ruse roll-on/roll-off shipping line. In addition to having the infrastructure in place, a carrier has been selected to carry out ferry services for motor vehicles and passengers. The selected carrier has notified the Ministry of Transport that it is ready to start transporting motor vehicles and passengers within ten days following prior notice.

After the inspection of the repairworks of bridge linking Ruse and Guirgiu, Prime Minister Glavchev and Minister Koritarova inspected the construction of the motorway "Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo".