site.btaRuse Danube Bridge Repairs Resume on Wednesday

Repair works on the Bulgarian section of the Danube Bridge at Ruse resume from 8 am on Wednesday. Although a one-lane section will be closed to traffic, crossing is expected to be faster due to the lifting of Schengen controls. Vehicles will now have to pay only a bridge toll, Ruse Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov told BTA.

The repair work on the 70-year-old bridge began on July 10, 2024, but was temporarily suspended during the Christmas and New Year holidays to make it easier for vehicles to cross the Bulgaria-Romania border at Ruse-Giurgiu. The second of six phases of the bridge's rehabilitation will start on Wednesday and is expected to be completed by the end of May or early June 2025.

"During the repairs, 413 meters of the lane from Bulgaria towards Romania in the viaduct section of the bridge will be temporarily closed for construction work," explained Draganov. He assured that traffic would not be stopped during the repairs, and the bridge itself would not be closed. Work will continue daily during daylight hours, depending on weather conditions, Draganov added.

"The work will be organized so that vehicles will pass in stages, two-way, in the lane where no work is being done," Draganov added.

He also said that all necessary measures would be taken to avoid traffic jams and blockages for both light and heavy vehicles. The repair plan will select the most optimal hours for work to minimize disruptions. 

"We are considering all possible scenarios to reduce any potential difficulties in passenger traffic. Our goal is to avoid such difficulties altogether, and we are in constant contact with all institutions," Draganov said.

The Governor also mentioned that truck drivers will no longer be required to stop or get a number for the virtual queue due to reduced traffic. A meeting with relevant authorities is scheduled in the week to reorganize traffic flow near the bridge.

Additionally, Draganov said that in the next few months, a system for electronic toll payments for heavy trucks will be introduced, which will make border crossing even faster.

He explained that it is likely that in late April or early May traffic will be temporarily stopped for a few hours in both directions, as the concrete panels need to be stabilized with cement.

The governor of Ruse said that all possible measures have been taken for free passage across the border between Bulgaria and Romania at Ruse - Giurgiu despite the bridge repairs. 

Draganov also said that the employees of the buffer parking for trucks no longer stop heavy vehicles and do not require a serial number from the so-called virtual queue due to the reduced traffic. He said that a meeting will be held with the relevant authorities to reorganize traffic in the bridge area. 

Draganov said that the "virtual" queuing system for the Danube Bridge at Ruse will work only in case of extremely heavy traffic.

According to the governor, up to 50 percent more throughput is expected for trucks through the facility. That means up to a maximum of about 2,000 heavy vehicles could pass in a 24-hour period in one direction. Currently, between 700 and 900 trucks pass over the bridge in the direction of Romania per day. 

The regional governor pointed out that an electronic payment system for the bridge toll is to be introduced in a few months for heavy trucks as well, making the crossing even faster.

More Romanian tourists Visit Ruse after Removal of Schengen Controls

Draganov said that for the last three days on average about 5,000 cars a day have been crossing the Danube Bridge. This is two and a half times more compared to the same period last year. Back then, about 2,000 cars crossed in 24 hours. 

According to Draganov, the increased interest is mainly due to Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen and the possibility for citizens of both countries to travel freely. 

According to him, the number of Romanian tourists visiting Ruse after the New Year is much higher. For example, the first visitors this year to the Ruse History Museum was a family from the Romanian town of Targovishte, the Museum said. 

Many Romanians also visit the restaurants in Ruse, buy various groceries, as well as cigarettes, as tobacco products in Bulgaria are cheaper. 

"In two days I sold about 300 cigarette packs to Romanians. We are in Schengen," an employee of a commercial outlet in the city centre told BTA