site.btaEC Approves Funding of Feasibility Study for New Bridge Over Danube at Ruse - Giurgiu

The European Commission has given the green light for financing a feasibility study for a new bridge over the Danube at Ruse-Giurgiu in the amount of EUR 6.9 million, the press centre of the Transport Ministry said on Thursday. The total budget of the project is EUR 13.7 million as the rest of the funds will be provided by the two countries.

Bulgaria and Romania are expected to sign an agreement with the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment by mid-year at the latest to provide the funding. By 2026, the technical, financial, legal and environmental parameters of the project for a new facility should be clarified.

The project envisages the construction of a combined road and rail bridge, about 2 km long. The project also covers the construction of the connecting infrastructure over a 15 km stretch on each side's territory. The bridge will also have a direct connection with the Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo motorway currently under construction.

Bulgaria and Romania submitted in September 2023 the joint proposal for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility. Based on the results of the feasibility study, a decision will be taken on the location and financing of the infrastructure facility.

The first bridge over the Danube between Bulgaria and Romania was built 70 years ago (1954) and the second one in 2013. Since then, traffic between the two countries has increased tenfold. With a view to the future reconstruction of Ukraine, the flow of freight along the north-south route is expected to increase even further, making the project strategically important for the whole region, the Ministry’s press centre noted.