SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 31 (SeeNews) – The construction of two new bridges linking Bulgaria to Romania over the Danube river is expected to start by 2017, Bulgarian media reported on Friday, quoting the country's transport minister.
Earlier this month the two countries approved a memorandum of understanding (MoD) for conducting feasibility studies for the construction of a bridge from Romania's Calarasi to Silistra in Bulgaria, and a bridge linking Turnu Magurele to Nikopol.
The design of the two bridges is expected to be undertaken between 2015 and 2016, Focus News quoted Nikolina Angelkova as telling reporters.
The time frames are part of the terms set out in the MoD.
Romania and Bulgaria are also analysing the possibility of constructing a railway road that would cross the bridges, Angelkova added, without disclosing details.
The two countries are working on an application for financing the project from the Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020, so that design works can start, Angelkova said.
In addition, they are also considering finding a partner for public-private financing of the project.
A Bulgarian-Romanian working group to implement the project is expected to be formed by the end of next week.
Currently, the two countries are connected by two bridges, one linking Giurgiu and Ruse. The other one, launched last year, connects Calafat to Vidin.