site.btaFirst 17 Km of Mezdra - Botevgrad Road Will Be Launched in June with Temporary Traffic Organization - Regional Development Minister

The Mezdra - Botevgrad road will be opened in June with temporary traffic organization, 17 km will be put into operation from the direction of Mezdra, it became known following an inspection by Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov and the Chairman of the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) Eng. Yordan Valchev at the construction site on Friday.

Ivanov specified that further visits to key locations along the route were to be made to assess the progress of the construction works and to discuss with the contractors and the RIA possible solutions to overcome obstacles. "The delay over the last few years must be compensated," Ivanov stressed.

Regarding the entire Mezdra - Botevgrad road, the minister said that activities under the contract are being implemented, except for the areas with landslides that occurred during construction. For two of them there is already a technical solution and the work continues, while the rest will be inspected to assess their management.

The funds for the major infrastructure projects, including this section, the Hemus Motorway and the Veliko Tarnovo - Ruse route, are provided for in the state budget and are a priority for the government, Ivanov noted.

Asked by BTA which will be the first section to be finally put into operation, the minister explained that this will be discussed at a working meeting in the Municipality of Mezdra with representatives of the builders, RIA, carriers and MPs. There are two options - one envisages an earlier opening but with additional traffic difficulties, and the other - a month and a half delay but without traffic complications. The decision will be taken after consultation with all stakeholders.