site.btaGovernment Leaders of Ruse Region and Giurgiu County Discuss Cross-border Infrastructure Connectivity

Ruse Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov and Giurgiu County Council Chair Toma-Florin Petcu discussed infrastructure development in Euroregion Danubius, with a focus on a feasibility study for a second bridge across the Danube River between Ruse and Giurgiu, Draganov’s press office reported on Saturday. The study is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. It will be a combined rail-and-road bridge like the existing one at the same site and will increase the number of bridges between Bulgaria and Romania to three.

Petcu said that intensive work is underway to upgrade and electrify the direct railway line between Bucharest and Giurgiu. The project will reduce the duration of a train trip between Bucharest and Ruse by more than an hour and will pave the way for building a direct railway line between Bucharest and Sofia. Draganov commented: “I hope we will be able to enjoy the benefits of this option shortly as it will have a real positive impact on individuals and businesses in the region.”

Draganov also broached the subject of restarting the ferry service between Ruse and Giurgiu. He noted that the Bulgarian side has been ready for it for more than two years now. The Romanians are having trouble with the adjoining infrastructure, but the Ro-Ro terminal itself is almost complete, as Draganov saw for himself while visiting the place.

Draganov called for the start of a procedure for mutual recognition of truck weight measurements in the two mirror cities. The change will do away with double-weighing and will make truck passage via Danube Bridge 1 much faster. It will thus allow increased cross-border truck traffic between Bulgaria and Romania, Draganov said.

He believes that the issue is particularly important in view of the expected lifting of Schengen land border controls in Bulgaria and Romania in addition to air and sea border controls, which were lifted in March. “If the present system remains in place, Schengen will have no effect, and faster travel via the border crossings will not be felt,” Draganov warned.