The Giurgiu-Ruse Friendship Bridge will be temporarily closed from March 27 to March 28, 2025, as Bulgarian authorities conduct necessary maintenance work. This vital connection between Bulgaria and Romania will experience traffic disruptions, affecting all vehicle categories.
According to the National Company for Road Infrastructure (CNAIR), the closure will occur in two phases. The first phase runs from March 27, 2025, at 09:00 until 21:00 on the same day, during which all road traffic will be completely restricted. The second phase allows only vehicles with a maximum authorized total mass of less than 3.5 tons to cross between March 27 at 21:00 and March 28 at 09:00. After that, beginning March 28 at 09:00, all vehicle categories will have access to the bridge.
CNAIR has stated that this closure is necessary to perform monolithizing work on the connection between the concrete panels that line the traffic lanes within the bridge's 413-meter viaduct segment on the Bulgarian side. "Oficialitățile bulgare informează că închiderea circulaţiei pe Podul Giurgiu – Ruse în intervalul mai sus menţionat este necesară pentru efectuarea monolitizării conexiunii dintre panelurile de beton montate pe ambele părţi ale benzilor de mers din cadrul segmentului de estacadă (413 metri) aflat pe partea bulgară a podului," said a representative from CNAIR.
For motorists looking to navigate around the closure, CNAIR suggests several alternative routes. These include:
- Călărași - Silistra: Available for cars and ferry transport for freight
- Ostrov - Silistra: Open for cars and passenger transport
- Negru Vodă - Kardam: Road access
- Vama Veche - Durankulak: Road route
- Calafat - Vidin: Open for road traffic
- Zimnicea - Svishtov: Ferry services available
- Turnu Măgurele - Nicopole: Ferry services available
- Bechet - Oreahovo: Ferry services available
- Lipnița - Kainardja: Road open until 20:00, limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tons
- Dobromir - Krushari: Road open until 20:00, limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tons
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and familiarize themselves with these alternative routes to avoid unnecessary delays during the closure.
The Giurgiu-Ruse Friendship Bridge serves as a major conduit for trade and travel between the two countries, making this temporary closure crucial for maintaining the durability and safety of the infrastructure. The maintenance work should ultimately enhance the bridge’s capacity to support the traffic demands that continue to grow in the region.
As this announcement unfolds, travelers and freight operators alike are advised to stay updated with local news reports and adhere to changing conditions on the roads. The authorities urge everyone to prioritize safety while traveling and to comply with the detours established during this period of necessary construction.
The closure represents a continuing effort by Bulgarian officials to maintain and improve their transportation infrastructure, ensuring safety and reliability for years to come. With a clear plan outlined for both the maintenance and for rerouting traffic, officials are confident that disruptions will be minimized.
Residents and travelers will benefit from planning their routes in advance, heeding the authorities' advice on the temporary closures and ensuring their journeys remain smooth despite the upcoming traffic alterations.
