IntermodalCBC project was presented

A joint Bulgarian-Romanian aims to improve significantly the planning, development and coordination of cross-border transport system for a better connection with the Trans-European Transport network in the cross-border area. It is foreseen to carry out an expert feasibility study and development of a strategic document for optimizing the transport system through the use of intermodal transport links in the cross-border region. This project is based on the principles of expertise, sustainability and stakeholder engagement, said Maria Tzankova, executive director of the Association of Danube River Municipalities "Danube" during the initial press conference in Rousse.

The press-conference was organized  within the framework of the project „Investigation of opportunities for reducing the TEN-T network use within the cross-border region Romania-Bulgaria through optimization of the freight and passenger transport and the development of a joint mechanism for support of the intermodal connections.“, which is implemented under the Interreg V-A Romania-Bulgaria 2014-2020 Programme, financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the state budgets of Romania and Bulgaria. The total project budget is 1 428 765.73 euro. It lasts 24 months and should be completed in early 2018. Project partners are the Association of Danube River Municipalities "Danube" (Bulgaria) and the "Group for environmental initiatives and sustainable development" (Craiova, Romania).

The success of the planned activities depends largely on the commitment and involvement of stakeholders, including institutions and organizations with expertise in the field of planning, formulating and implementing transport policies and management of the transport sector in both countries; representatives of business and the NGO sector; local authorities in the cross-border region; potential investors and others.

The implementation of the project objectives should contribute for a well-planned and sustainable development of transport infrastructure and organization of transport networks for the four types of passenger and freight transport: road, water, air and rail. The end result of the project is an optimization of the transport connectivity of the entire border region and enhancement of the joint actions of Romanian and Bulgarian institutions in the formulation of transport policies and in making investment decisions.