|
Title: |
Danube Bridge
Vidin-Calafat |
|
Objective: |
The project
objective is to provide a second fixed Danube crossing between
Bulgaria and Romania, which are at present connected by a
single road/rail bridge at Ruse-Giurgiu, some 300 km
downstream. The proposed new transport link would serve local,
regional and long-distance traffic between Western Europe and
South-Eastern Europe along the route of Pan-European corridor
IV. |
|
Description: |
The proposed bridge would be a
road/rail bridge with a 2x2 lane highway and a single
electrified railway line (but designed and constructed to bear
a double line). |
|
Preparation Status/Timing: |
First immediate
step will be the elaboration of Detailed Design and Tender
documentation for the construction of the bridge, the approach
infrastructure and the adjacent border and customs facilities.
Cost estimates should be firmed up for the bridge itself and
the first phase of associated road and rail improvements. It
is recommended that, in addition to the feasibility study
carried out by international consultants in 1995, an
additional study be made bringing traffic projections up to
date for the chosen site. |
|
Economic/Financial Justification: |
Although previous
analyses show somewhat modest net benefits, the construction
of a second Danube crossing clearly has a strategic importance
and could generate benefits not captured by traditional
projection methods. This would need to be confirmed. The
location at Vidin Calafat also brings benefits to local
populations totaling some 120 000. |
|
Cost: |
EUR 190 M, of which EUR 5 M for
detailed design |
|
Financing Plan: |
European Commission (to be
confirmed)
European Investment Bank (to be confirmed) |
|
Borrower/Final Beneficiary: |
Government of Bulgaria |
|
Major Sector/Project Issues: |
Agreed minutes (07.02.2000) of
a joint meeting between delegations of the Romanian and
Bulgarian Governments in the presence of representatives of
the European Commission and the Stability Pact, and an Expert
Paper (23.02.2000) on the precise location of the new bridge
at Vidin-Calafat (km 796+1) were signed in Brussels by
all of the above parties. |
|
Contact Person: |
European Investment Bank
Luxembourg
Ministry of Transport and Communications
Sofia, Bulgaria |
