Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

The European Commission is convinced in the significance of Hemus highway for Bulgaria. This emerged from the informal negotiations with the Transport Minister Nikolina Angelkova on the new Operational Program “Transport and Transport Infrastructure” 2014-2020, which were held today in Brussels.

Convincing the EC to include Hemus highway in the scope of the program was the most difficult part, nevertheless, following a series of talks they show understanding in the importance of constructing the highway, said Minister Angelkova. In her words the project will contribute to the development of the North of Bulgaria and is ready to be implemented. “In case there is financing, we can start the construction of the section from Yablanitsa to Lovetch next year”, she added. All this makes the project a realistic option for the swift absorption of funds under the new program while contributing at the same time to the balance in investment in the South and North of Bulgaria.

During today’s talks the stage of preparation of the Multimodal Transport Strategy was also discussed. Experts from the Ministry work together with JASPERS on the Strategy. Among the other topics discussed were issues related to the additional financing of the program’s budget. Thus, next week a conference call will be held together with representatives of the EC, the EIB, JASPERS and the Ministry to look into the issues raised.

We recall that the project for the construction of Hemus highway has been included in the proposal to the EC for OP Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2014-2020 and was divided in three stages at the total indicative value of 780 million Euros. The section form Yablanitsa to the road Russe – Veliko Tarnovo is to be financed under the OP, while the section to Belokopitovo – with EIB loan.

The inclusion of Hemus highway in the scope of the OP does not affect the balance achieved between road and rail projects. The preparation of all other priority sites, which are included in the new programming period, is ongoing.