site.btaPM Glavchev to Inspect Traffic at Ruse-Giurgiu Border Checkpoint Following Meeting with Transport Industry Representatives

Separating the flows of heavy goods vehicles of EU member states and third countries was one of the ideas discussed at a meeting of caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev with representatives of the transport industry, the government’s press office said Thursday. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova, Minister of Transport Georgi Gvozdeykov, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Violeta Koritarova, Deputy Minister of the Interior Stoyan Temelakiev, Director of the Customs Agency Georgi Dimov and representatives of Border Police.

The Prime Minister invited the industry for a talk after he visited the Kulata border crossing checkpoint at the beginning of the week following reports of serious traffic and huge queues. During the conversation it became clear that this option of separating traffic flows could also be applied to ease traffic at Danube Bridge 1 and 2, where the problem of long queues has been present for years. On Friday, the Prime Minister will visit the Ruse-Giurgiu checkpoint to see on the spot the situation with the passage of heavy goods vehicles. He will also inspect the renovation of the Bulgarian section of the bridge that started on July 10. Bulgaria is ready for the resumption of the Ruse-Giurgiu ferry line, possibly in September, which would relieve it of between 20 and 30% of heavy traffic. 

Another main topic of the discussion was easing traffic and congestion at the border crossing points at Danube Bridge 1 and 2, Kulata, Lesovo and Kapitan Andreevo through the establishment of additional lanes and the construction of modern waiting and rest areas.

A meeting initiated by the Transport Minister will be held again on August 8, where all responsible institutions and representatives of the transport industry will sort out the details. A meeting is also to be organized with the Romanian Ambassador to Romania, Brandusa Ioana Predescu, to be briefed on the proposal to separate the flow of heavy goods vehicles to EU member states and third countries.

Transport industry representatives supported Prime Minister Glavchev's idea as a first step in easing heavy traffic at the country's border crossings, the statement said.