The European Union is providing funds for the construction of a new intermodal terminal in the Bulgarian city Ruse. Located on the border with Romania and the Danube river, a new terminal could provide ample opportunity for multimodal operations in the area.
The total cost of the project is estimated at some 60 million euros, of which nearly 50 million euros will come from European funds. A tender is to be announced this month.
Bulgaria is planning to build seven tracks at the future intermodal terminal and restore the rail link with the Danube Bridge into Romania. The facility will also get a new road access from the Northern Industrial Zone of Ruse and feature customs points, loading and unloading areas and storage facilities.
Flows to Central and Western Europe
A new intermodal terminal could elevate Ruse to a more important position in the Bulgarian transport network. “With the third bridge over the Danube, which will also be near Ruse, and with the construction of the intermodal terminal, the city is establishing itself as a key transport hub for Northeastern Bulgaria”, commented Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov.
“Combined with the modernisation and increase in the capacity of the Ruse-Varna railway line, this will provide the most direct rail connection for freight flows from the East and the Black Sea region along the Danube River to Western and Central Europe.”
About that Ruse-Varna railway: Bulgaria has been working to increase capacity on the rail route to Greece via Varna. The so-called Sea2Sea project was a joint effort with Athens, aimed at providing an alternative to routes via the Bosporus. It focuses on the railway that passes through the Greek ports of Kavala and Alexandroupolis and connects the ports of Burgas and Varna. It then reaches Ruse. Upon completion, the project could shift some 650 million euros of freight from sea to rail, according to a subsidiary of Hellenic Railways.