Asparuhov Bridge – Varna

The Asparuhov Bridge is one of the Varna’s symbols. Its construction is related to the grown industrial importance of the Bulgarian Sea-coastal capital and the need of more convenient waterway. The old canal sea-lake could not answer the expected ship traffic and digging of new one – bigger navigation canal, was urgent. The construction of the Bridge started in the beginning of 1973. It was completed ahead of schedule and was opened on September 8, 1976. The Bridge is unique for Bulgaria and the making of its basic columns was performed in a way seldom for the entire world. The reason of the extremely unfavorable geological conditions in the most difficult part – from Varna to the central opening. The ground layer is 3-4 m of clay, underlied by 20 m of water-rich dust quicksand, under which there is a 46-m layer of slime. The layer of oligocen clay allowing the columns placing is at the depth of 70 m. The only for funding is preparing a concrete columns each reaching 53 m at depth. Under each column there are six pilot columns with diameter of 1.2 , and a height of 50 m. The length of the Bridge is 2050 m, and it’s height – 50 m. the Asparuhov Bridge is a part of the Cherno More (Black Sea) highway, and a part of the international way E-87. Besides an important transport junction, the Asparuhov Bridge is now a meeting place of the local and guest adventurers.