site.btaReconstruction of Kapitan Andreevo Border Crossing Point to Start within Three Months, Budget Amounts to BGN 100 Mln

Reconstruction of the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing checkpoint on the border with Turkiye is set to begin within the next three months, Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said Friday during an inspection of the checkpoint. Petkova and Customs Agency Director General Georgi Dimov visited the site to review the reconstruction project and the digitalization of control processes aimed at increasing capacity. “This checkpoint experiences the highest border traffic, with over one million vehicles passing through last year,” the Finance Minister explained.

The project’s goal is to ease the passage of travelers and increase the checkpoint's capacity, thus improving comfort for passengers. The budget for the project, amounting to approximately BGN 100 million, has already been secured, Petkova added.

According to Dimov, Kapitan Andreevo is the second busiest border checkpoint in the world. Dimov also noted that the checkpoint is constrained by a railway line to the North and the Maritsa River to the South.

After the reconstruction, the checkpoint's capacity will increase by 25%, Dimov said. The plans include the construction of new lanes for both inbound and outbound traffic, expansion of light vehicle traffic, and the creation of reversible lanes. Depending on traffic intensity and analysis, a second terminal may also be considered, he added.

Dimov assured that a plan has been created in collaboration with the Border Police to ensure that travelers do not feel the impact of the construction work. The project is expected to be completed by the beginning of the next summer season when traffic is expected to increase. 

In response to a reporter’s question about a future state-run company and the sale of essential goods at post offices, Petkova stated that any measures aimed at providing better prices for consumers should be allowed to proceed. However, she clarified that Bulgarian Posts is not mentioned in the budget act, and no state company for this activity has yet been established.