site.btaTwo-Way Traffic Fully Restored on Danube Bridge Near Ruse Following Major Renovation

Two-way traffic was fully restored on the Bulgarian section of the Danube Bridge near Ruse on Tuesday after nearly two years of major rehabilitation.

Borislav Strinski, site manager and board member of GBS Infrastructure Construction, the lead partner in the consortium that carried out the project, said the works were completed in six phases. He stressed that the road surface has performed well since construction began and meets all technical specifications despite heavy traffic and high summer temperatures.

The project included replacing road panels, building new sidewalks, installing new safety barriers, restoring railings and lighting, repairing the bridge's substructure and columns, and upgrading other key elements. The remaining work, including renewing the anti-corrosion coating on the steel structure beneath the roadway, will be completed during the summer without affecting traffic.

The reopening ceremony was attended by Ruse Deputy Regional Governor Dr. Valeri Yordanov, Ruse Municipal Council Chair Hristo Beloev, Ruse Deputy Mayor Zdravka Velikova, representatives of the Road Infrastructure Agency. A blessing ceremony was also held by Father Rosen Georgiev of the Ruse Metropolitan Diocese.

Rehabilitation of the 1.057-kilometre Bulgarian section of the Danube Bridge began on July 10, 2024. Throughout construction, traffic was maintained in both directions by using the lane not under repair. This was the first major overhaul of the Bulgarian section since the bridge opened 70 years ago.