The necessary budget for the realization of all strategic railway projects in Bulgaria after 2021 is 4 billion leva. This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Rossen Jeliazkov during a working breakfast with representatives of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Austrian Commercial Agency ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA. In his words, this includes the rail links with Serbia and Northern Macedonia, Vidin-Medkovets, Karnobat-Sindel, the introduction of a European train management system in several parts of the country, as well as the development of the railway junction of Varna and Gorna Oryahovitsa.
"As an EU member state, we are pursuing a clear policy, in line with European priorities, aiming to achieve optimal integration of the transport networks in the Union," explained Rosen Jeliazkov. According to the Transport Minister, the projects on the main TEN-T network should be completed by 2030, and by 2050 all projects of the comprehensive network.
In front of representatives of the German and Austrian business, Minister Jeliazkov said that a number of projects will be implemented in the road sector as well. He pointed out that the construction of the motorways "Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo" and "Kalotina", and the highways Vidin - Montana - Vratsa and Mezdra - Botevgrad will be under construction. "The indicative budget for these four projects is 3,605 billion leva, including the completion of the Struma and Hemus motorways under implementation," Jeliazkov explained.
During the meeting, the current concession procedures, to which the Ministry is the contracting authority, and the forthcoming introduction of a TOLL system for heavy goods vehicles were discussed.
