Vidin marks 5 years since the opening of Danube Bridge 2

The Bulgarian city of Vidin, situated on the Danube River on 15^th of June marks five years since the opening of the Danube Bridge 2. The volume of traffic through the facility is increasing and at the end of the year is expected to reach 4 million cars. However, the hopes of the people of Vidin and the neighbouring Romanian city of Kalafat for rapid economic development of the two regions did not materialise.

2,700 vehicles per day pass on average on the Danube Bridge 2 in both directions. 60% of them are freight.

Lyubomir Nizamov, Executive Director of "Danube Bridge Vidin-Kalafat explains that, on average, one lorry passes every minute.

105 million leva of the Bulgarian investment has already been recovered.

Nizamov says that in terms of infrastructure, Vidin has now an airport which they can use for flights to major centres in Europe and many business in Vidin, already have offices and work with Romania, seasonal workers pass from both sides.

Bulgarians and Romanians are increasingly travelling between the two countries. Residents of Vidin and Kalafat, however, expect further benefits from the bridge for the two neighbouring regions.

It is convenient for a walk at weekends, for relaxation, even for shopping, people say.

It has given hope to people and businesses that, despite of the difficult economic situation of the region, not all opportunities have been missed.

Unfortunately, before the bridge was opened, the expectations were too high.

For the anniversary of the opening of the bridge, the company that runs the border facility has organised free bus trips between Vidin and Kalafat.