The cities of Vidin (Bulgaria) and Calafat (Romania) will soon be connected with a new bridge.

 

The construction has not yet begun, but the population is enthusiastic about it. For the people of Vidin, this bridge is the bridge of hope, said the Mayor of Vidin, Ivan Tsenov. Apart from the 'Friendship bridge", this new connection is the only crossing over the Danube, which forms a 470-kilometer border separating Bulgaria and Romania.

 

The bridge as itself will not be so important to the development of Carafat as what will be built around the bridge, said the mayor of Calafat, Petre Traistaru. But it is anticipated that trade between the two countries will directly create one thousand jobs and inject €57 million into the local economies.

 

Partially financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and EU pre-accession funds, the bridge is expected to open in 2010. EIB Vice-Chairman Wolfgang Roth said it will have a strong local development impact as it is likely to become the catalyst for the development of the Vidin-Dolj Euroregion.

 

The European Investment Bank

The EU pre-accession funds

 

* Origin: The International Herald Tribune