Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

The preliminary analyses show that 3.2 million levs will be needed to restore the railway infrastructure following the recent floods, said the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Nikolina Angelkova. She visited the sections along the line Dimitrovgrad – Nova Zagora that were flood stricken.

Minister Angelkova added that the railway infrastructure and the adjacent facilities have been insured and claims have already been made to the insurance companies for all affected sections, including Mihailovo – Kaloyanovets.

We recall that on Sunday under Minister Angelkova’s ruling an Operational Headquarters was established to monitor and control the condition of the railway network in the country.

The activities on the temporary restoration of the railway traffic were immediately undertaken and consecutively the sections were opened to traffic. These sections are: Road 1 at Mihailovo station, the lines Luibimets – Svilengrad, Harmanli – Liubimets, Liubenovo station, the line Merichleri – Dimitrovgrad North, some of them operating at a lower train speed.

The most problematic section is Liubenovo – Galabovo where traffic will be restored on Monday, 15 September, with a later reconstruction of parts of Mihailovo station, which will take more time.

Security and safety measures of the railway traffic in the affected sections have been increased. There are constant inspections and the measures and activities in cases of accidents have been implemented.

There have been no major damages along the railway sections that have been financed under the Operational Program Transport 2007-2013. Damp soil removal will not affect construction works and deadlines for completion, announced Minister Angelkova. Forfeit will be required in cases when there is a delay which cannot be proved arose due to acts of God.

Minister Angelkova added that the railway stations of Chirpan, Stara Zagora and Nova Zagora will be included in the OP Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2014-2020.