|faq

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a bridge between Vidin and Calafat?

No, there is still no bridge, but the construction is projected to be complete by 2010. At the moment there is a working a ferry line, which connects both cities and carries the transportation of cars and passengers. Between Bulgaria and Romania, currently there is only a bridge from Rousse to Giurgiu.

Who will build the bridge?

The Spanish company Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (FCC) won the tender for construction of the bridge between Vidin and Calafat. The construction supervision will be done by a consortium between the French firm "Iginero" and the British "High-point Rendell".

How the bridge will look?

The bridge will be 1971 meters long. It will be a ferro-concrete construction, which will provide two road tracks in every direction and one electrical rail-way line. A pavement and bicycle alley is planned as well.

How much the bridge costs, and who is financing it?

The total amount of the project is 236 M euro, from which 226 M euro are for construction works and 10 M. euro for pre-project survey, planning and consultant support. The amount of the contract for construction of the bridge is 99,9 M euro, and for independent building supervision - 6,3 M euro. The projection and construction works on the bridge have been financed by the European Commission with a financial memorandum 2004/BG/16/P/PT/005, signed on February 18, 2005, by the European Investment Bank EIB, the German KfW, the French AFD and the Bulgarian state budget. The grant from the European Commission is 70 M euro, the Bulgarian co-financing reaches 60 M euro. The credit contracts were signed and ratified in the period 2000 - 2006 with decisions of the Bulgarian Parliament.

Why is there a need to have civil monitoring?

Because there are many examples of abuse of public funds in such infrastructure projects, as well as instances in which the interest of the local communities is ignored. The bridge construction is the biggest investment in the region and with it are connected hopes of the habitants of the both cities for bettering of the difficult socio-economical situation. We don't want these hopes to be disappointed.

Who will do the monitoring?

Citizens and civil organizations in Vidin and Calafat. To achieve that they must be consolidated. This is why we have created a Coalition for civil monitoring of the Vidin-Calafat Bridge construction and its effect on the local communities. The coalition currently includes 21 representatives of NGOs, business, local authorities and media from both cities. It is an informal structure, and open for participation.

What will be observed in the monitoring?

The civil monitoring will observe the implementation of the conditions and obligations under the contract taken by the companies - project executors, as well as respect of the international standards for transparency, accountability and control in the realization of the projects with sufficient public interest.

How we can participate in the monitoring?

In various ways - to report corruption or abuses or by sharing opinions using the means of communication from this web-site to the engaged participation in the work of the Coalition. For the latter, it is obliged to be in agreement with its Statute, and to apply for membership.