A reinforced concrete panel of the Danube Bridge at Ruse weighs 5.6 t

117 panels have been made so far during the major renovation of the facility

5.6 tons is the weight of each of the new reinforced concrete panels, which are being manufactured and installed during the major reconstruction of the Danube Bridge at Ruse. They measure 2.48 m by 4.40 m and 117 have been made since construction work started on the facility two months ago.

The road slab of the bridge is made of reinforced concrete panels, interconnected by longitudinal and transverse connections. So far, 107 panels have been removed and 94 new panels have been installed. The connection between the new road slab and the steel main beams is made by reinforcement - transversely and longitudinally, and the connecting elements - the bolted dowels - are welded. Each connection is anchored with concrete, which increases the load-bearing capacity of the road structure under heavy road traffic and will ensure traffic safety on the facility. A three-layer anti-corrosion protection is applied to all steel elements, preceded by sandblasting to remove the old layers.

In the next few days, the temporary traffic organisation introduced at the beginning of the repair works on 10 July will be extended and the total length of the section closed to traffic in the Bulgaria entrance lane will be about 400m. Currently it is about 200 m. Traffic in the construction lane remains restricted and traffic will be controlled by traffic signals in the exit lane towards Romania. Construction activities are being carried out without traffic stoppages and the facility will not be closed. The site is open 10-12 hours per day, during daylight hours. The work process shall be organised and carried out in such a way that vehicles pass in a staggered two-way manner in the lane not being worked in.

During the overhaul of the facility, the maximum permissible width of passing vehicles is 2.75 m and the total mass is up to 60 tonnes. Oversized vehicles do not pass.

In order to improve safety, the RIA works in constant coordination and close cooperation with the Border Police, the Customs Agency, the Automobile Administration Agency, the Ruse Municipality and the Ruse Regional Administration. The appeal to the drivers and residents of Ruse is to show understanding and patience, to drive carefully, at a reasonable speed, to strictly observe the traffic signals and not to undertake risky overtaking, which could endanger the safety and lives of all travellers.