Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

We are speeding up works on OP Transport 2007 – 2013 and we are doing our best for the opening of the new OP Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2014 – 2020, said the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and communications Ivaylo Moskovski during a discussion panel entitled “Construction in 2015 – perspectives and challenges; The opportunities of the new program period 2014 – 2020”, organized by the Bulgarian Construction Chamber. In his words there are delays of most of the projects that he has inspected in the past few weeks.

“No funds will be lost under OP Transport as at the end of 2014, yet in 2015 we will do our best to achieve maximum repayment”, said the Transport Minister. Despite everything at the end of next year there might be a loss of funds. Currently the underground remains among the most successful projects. The construction works along two of the sections – to Sofia airport and to the Business Park – are within the deadlines and are expected to be completed by the end of April. About 400 million Euros have been allocated to the underground and part of them will be used for the construction of the section along the third metro diameter from Yanko Sakazov Blvd. to Krasno Selo.

The funds for the road and rail infrastructure will be equally allocated in the new period, with 673 million Euros for each axis. Hemus highway is a priority and it will surely be constructed, there is no doubt about it, said the Minister. Currently there are negotiations with the European Commission on the first section of the highway – from Yablanitsa to the Lovech-Pleven road, to be included as a spare project to OPTTI together with the tunnel under Shipka peak. At the moment the Commission views Lot 3 of Struma highway as a priority. “We will look for other options for financing and we will not give up on Hemus highway”, said the Minister.

In the railway sector we will focus our efforts on the thorough modernization of the Plovdiv – Burgas route, as well as the line the Serbian border – Sofia – Septemvri. The part from Elin Pelin to Septemvri is to be financed under OP Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2014 – 2020, while the rest – under Connecting Europe Facility.