Second bridge over Varna Lake: Will it be part of the "Cherno More" (Black Sea) motorway?

Second bridge over Varna Lake – part of a large-scale project

The construction of a second bridge facility over Varna Lake will not be implemented as a standalone project, but as an integral part of the long-awaited "Cherno More" (Black Sea) motorway. This was confirmed by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Shishkov, in response to a parliamentary inquiry.

"The 'Cherno More' motorway is among the priorities in national strategic documents and will provide a key link between Varna and Burgas as part of the Trans-European Transport Network," Minister Shishkov stated.

Route options and the bridge facility

Currently, several options for the motorway route are being considered, all of which include the new facility. The main parameters of the bridge being discussed are:

• A length of approximately 550 linear meters for the standard options.
• Alternative routes with bridge lengths of 320 and 270 meters, aiming to reduce environmental impact.

An important clarification is that the future bridge will be located outside the administrative boundaries of the city of Varna, which will alleviate traffic compared to the existing Asparuhov Bridge.

Infrastructure challenges

The Minister emphasized that the lack of ready-made designs for key sites is a major obstacle to the implementation of large infrastructure projects. The government is focusing on the comprehensive design of the 94-kilometer route, rather than building individual sections piecemeal. The project remains a priority for the development of the regional and national transport network.