Two-way traffic on the "Danube Bridge" near Ruse will be ensured in the coming days, although the major renovation of the facility continues. Expectations are for serious traffic during the holiday period, as the measure aims to facilitate the crossing between Bulgaria and Romania.
As early as yesterday afternoon, traffic on the bridge was open in both directions.
"The idea was born mutually, actually by the entire team, by all interested parties. But the truth is that I have information from all the holiday periods last year that the expectation is that over 30,000 cars will cross in both directions during these few days. And in this regard, it was much more meaningful, as was already done at Christmas, to open the bridge in both directions, so that all tourists on both sides of the bridge can cross without any problems and quickly," said the regional governor of Ruse Orlin Penkov.
At the moment, the traffic is calm, without any formed columns, and the crossing is carried out at a normal speed. The lack of traffic jams is due precisely to the opening of both lanes.
This is the result when both lanes are open. Plus the fact that the pavements are in much better condition than purely technical. And the crossing speed is normal, not slowed down. We must say that there are no columns. There are no cars waiting.
The major repair of the "Danube Bridge" is in an advanced phase, with the last section remaining to be renovated after the holidays.
"We were lucky that this moment coincided with the end of the renovation of one of the sections. Because otherwise this would not have happened, but we were lucky. We only have one part of the bridge left - the last one, which we will start repairing immediately after the holidays. Our deadline is until the beginning of July, but maybe by the end of June we will finish and open the entire bridge to traffic", said Stamen Salbov, director of the Regional Road Administration - Ruse, BNT reports.
The renovation is the first of its kind on such a scale in decades.
"Absolutely a major renovation. We are replacing everything on the entire road part of the bridge. Starting with the concrete panels, foundations, sidewalk consoles, waterproofing. Absolutely everything old is being removed to zero and rebuilt. The only thing we keep are the railings, as they also have artistic value. They are renovated, rehabilitated and reinstalled," added Salbov.
The facility, built in 1954, has continued to handle heavy traffic for over 70 years. Traditionally, on holidays, there is an increased flow from Romania to Bulgaria at the beginning of the period, and then - in the opposite direction. There is also increased interest from Romanian tourists in Ruse and the region. Road checks will also be intensified during the holidays, with law enforcement agencies monitoring traffic safety.