November 21 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria's government said on Wednesday it will back studies for the construction of a second bridge connecting the city of Ruse to Romania's Giurgiu over the Danube.
The government adopted a protocol for amendments to an existing memorandum of understanding signed with Romania in 2014, which will serve as the basis for negotiations for the implementation of a project for construction of a new bridge linking the two cities, the cabinet said in a statement following its weekly meeting.
The analysis has shown a large increase in traffic on the existing bridge which, due to its age, needs to be regularly shut down for repairs, causing traffic jams, the government said.
The protocol, which serves to prove the countries' commitment to improving transport connectivity in the region, envisages carrying out studies for the construction of a second Ruse-Giurgiu bridge. The existing bridge was built over 60 years ago.
Bulgaria and Romania are currently connected by two bridges - between Ruse and Giurgiu and between Vidin and Calafat. Two more - between Nikopol and Turnu Magurele and between Silistra and Calarasi - are being planned.