The project for a new bridge facility over the Maritsa River on the Plodovitovo - Asenovgrad road was inaugurated today through a symbolic sod-turning ceremony.

The facility will span 228 meters in length and 10.5 meters in width, featuring two lanes of 3.5 meters each and two 1.75-meter-wide sidewalks. This bridge will connect Parvomai with the village of Gradina, establishing a direct link between the Trakia highway and the first-class road I-8 Plovdiv - Haskovo.

The existing bridge, constructed 95 years ago, is limited to one-way traffic and can support vehicles weighing up to 5 tons.

Eng. Todor Gochev, Chairman of the Management Board and Executive Director of "Glavbolgarstroy Infrastructure Construction," the main contractor for the project, is dedicated to ensuring the bridge's construction adheres to high-quality standards and is completed on schedule. He remarked, "From the perspective of the construction team, I can assure you that we will invest every possible effort to deliver a bridge of superior quality, within the designated timeframe. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind all colleagues involved in this considerable endeavor that it's not solely crucial to deliver an outstanding final product, but also to safeguard the well-being and lives of all individuals on the site."

Eng. Yasen Yordanov, Chairman of the Board of the Road Infrastructure Agency, noted that the new bridge will adopt an orthotropic structure, combining steel with reinforced concrete - a novel construction method for Bulgaria. He elaborated, "What's noteworthy here is the fusion of reinforced concrete and metal in the construction. With a total span of 228 meters, this bridge will facilitate two-way traffic through this highly congested stretch."

Nikolay Mitkov, Mayor of Parvomai Municipality, emphasized the significance of the new bridge for both residents and businesses in the area: "Today marks a historic occasion that has been eagerly anticipated by all members of our community and neighboring municipalities. The bridge constructed by our forebears 95 years ago has visibly deteriorated and become outdated. Now, with governmental support, the efforts of builders, and collective cooperation, we're commencing the construction of a modern two-lane bridge - a crucial conduit for the smooth flow of vehicular traffic."

The anticipated timeframe for project completion is one calendar year.