site.btaPM Glavchev Tells Protesting Locals Repairs of Madrets - Galabovo Road Begins

The construction permit needed to start the major repair of the third-class Mudrets - Galabovo road has already been issued, said caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and caretaker Regional Development and Public Works Minister Violeta Koritarova, who went to the site today to talk with local government representatives and protesters over the poor condition of the road section. The section was built more than 45 years ago and has not been repaired. After nearly two years of delays in issuing the necessary documents, the caretaker government has managed to speed up the procedure and the permit is in place so that the real repair work can begin. "We are here for a reason. I wanted to see for myself what the problem is and to see that everything has started that is already possible on paper," said Prime Minister Glavchev, quoted by the government information service.

"After yesterday's [Tuesday] meeting of the Chairman of the Road Infrastructure Agency with the protesters we did everything possible, we collected the last coordination letter that was necessary, we reviewed the documentation and today the construction permit is a reality", Minister Koritarova said. She added that the implementation period is 540 calendar days and the allocated amount is about BGN 20 million. The section to be repaired is nearly 16 km long. "The money has been secured in the investment programme of the Road Infrastructure Agency," Minister Koritarova said, pointing out that the repair process for the road is irreversible.

Mayors of municipalities in the region and Tencho Kairyakov, who heads the initiative committee that organized the protest, specially thanked Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and Minister Koritarova for the quick response.

Two layers of new asphalt pavement will be laid along the entire stretch, and the road construction will be renewed in places. Three major structures will be repaired - a bridge over a ravine, a bridge over the Sokolnitsa River and a railway overpass in the village of Obruchishte, as well as 32 culverts, the release said.