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Bulgaria to renovate bridges after Italy disaster
SOFIA, Aug 16, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Bulgaria has decided to renovate more than
200 bridges in the wake of the deadly collapse of a bridge in the Italian
city of Genoa, according to government information published Thursday.
A total of 211 bridges — most of which were built between 35 and 40 years
ago — are in a bad state, the regional development minister told a
government meeting, according to minutes published Thursday.
Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said all must be renovated and strengthened.
“Whether financed through loans to be paid back through tolls or whether
we pay with the budget, I want them all to renovated at the same time,” he
told the meeting held on Wednesday.
Bulgaria, the poorest country in the EU, has been receiving financial aid
from Europe for decades to modernise its infrastructure.
The country is nearly four times the size of Belgium but has only 777
kilometres (482 miles) of motorway, much of which is in a bad state of
repair.
The motorway bridge in the Italian city of Genoa collapsed Tuesday during
a heavy rainstorm, killing at least 38 people and injuring 16 more.
BSS/AFP/RY/1638 hrs