site.btaEuropean Commission Greenlights Bulgaria's Project to Construct Carriageway for Struma Motorway

Bulgaria's project to design and construct a carriageway for Struma Motorway between Kulata, Southwestern Bulgaria, and Sofia outside the Kresna Gorge under Lot 3.2's Eastern Alternative G10.50 has been greenlit by the European Commission, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works reported here on Friday.

The Government instructed the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Andrey Tsekov, and the Minister of Transport and Communications, Georgi Gvozdeikov, to take the necessary actions to initiate the design and construction of Lot 3.2.

A pre-investment study for a new Sofia-Kulata route outside the Kresna Gorge is also being commissioned.

It is envisaged that no action will be taken for the construction of a right carriageway (from Sofia to Kulata) of Struma Motorway's Lot 3.2 along the route of the existing road E-79, before considering the possible alternatives, which are subject to the pre-investment studies.

On February 19, Tsekov told reporters that he hopes that by 2027 or 2028, there will be full highway connectivity between Sofia and Greece. He said that the objective at hand is to construct the remaining section of the motorway as quickly as possible, hopefully keeping it entirely outside the Kresna Gorge, with maximum consideration for biodiversity protection and without loss of European funds.