Measures to alleviate traffic at the Danube Bridge Border Crossing

At a recent meeting in Ruse, representatives from the regional administrations of Ruse and Giurgiu discussed additional measures to alleviate traffic at the Danube Bridge before the start of the bridge's renovation works. Among these measures were:

• Physical checks for hidden individuals to be conducted outside the border checkpoint in our northern neighbor, as these delays further slow the passage of other trucks.
• Separation of slow and fast-moving trucks – for vehicles passing empty or with open loads, as they undergo fewer checks.
• Mutual recognition of the results from weighing of cargo vehicles to eliminate double weighing when crossing the border.
• Online payment for the toll to cross the Danube Bridge from Bulgaria to Romania – the system is currently in a testing phase and is expected to be operational soon.
• More Romanian officers – tax administration and vehicle permit control systems are being integrated.
• All lanes for light vehicles to be operational during the summer and as needed, to avoid congestion.

Regarding the traffic during the bridge's renovation, the participants agreed that border police from both countries will be stationed on both sides of the bridge to respond to any crisis situations or potential lane blockages. Vehicle passage will be staggered through one lane and controlled by traffic lights. The first section to be closed will be about 400 meters long and will last for five months. It will be located at the beginning of the Bulgarian section, covering the lane leading into Bulgaria.

As for the ferry, its launch is in progress but without a specific date yet.

Finally, the pre-project studies for the construction of a second Danube Bridge near Ruse are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, although it has not yet been definitively decided whether the new bridge will include a railway line.