The European Commission has given the 'green light' for the financing of the feasibility study for a new bridge over the Danube in Ruse-Giurgiu worth 6,9 million euros, the press center of the Ministry of Transport of Bulgaria announced today.

The total budget of the project is 13.7 million euros, while the rest will be provided by both countries.

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

The project envisages the construction of a combined road and railway bridge, about 2 kilometers long. The project also covers the construction of connecting infrastructure over a stretch of 15 km in the territory of each side. The bridge will also have a direct connection to the Ruse - Veliko Tërnovo highway that is currently under construction.

Bulgaria and Romania presented in September 2023 the joint proposal for financing within the European Union Facilitation. Based on the results of the feasibility study, a decision will be made on the location and financing of the infrastructure facility.

The first bridge over the Danube between Bulgaria and Romania was built in 1954 and the second in 2013. Since then, traffic between the two countries has increased tenfold.

With a view to the future reconstruction of Ukraine, the flow of goods along the north-south route is expected to increase, making the project strategically important for the entire region, the press center of the Ministry emphasized. /BTA