site.btaRoad Repairs to Be Completed Within Two Weeks, Regional Development Minister Says

Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov said road repairs currently affecting travel to Bulgaria's Black Sea coast would be completed within two weeks, addressing concerns raised by representatives of the tourism sector about construction work during the summer season.

Speaking to the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) on Saturday, Shishkov said the restrictions were temporary and would soon be lifted.

"The repairs will be completed within two weeks. We could not leave these road sections in their previous condition. We launched the works fully aware that they would create temporary difficulties, but at a time when such inconvenience could be tolerated. By the end of the month, the activities will be completed," he said.

Shishkov stressed that no major disruptions for tourists are expected in July and August.

"Last year, repairs continued until mid-July. This year they will be completed before the end of June. I wish Bulgaria's Black Sea coast a long and successful season. We will not hinder tourism; on the contrary, we will help it because the motorway will be in better condition," he added.

The minister said the key difference between the current government and previous caretaker administrations is the ability to plan and implement policies over a longer period.

"It is always a responsibility to serve as a minister. There are always difficulties, but there is also enthusiasm because you can do something for the country. The difference now is that we have a parliamentary majority capable of influencing legislation and sectoral development. We can now plan for the next four years and implement those plans. In particular, the road sector and missing infrastructure require both time and a long-term horizon," Shishkov said.

According to him, a number of problems have already come to light during the first month of the current administration, including attempts to secure additional indexation payments under motorway contracts, developments related to a construction case in Varna, and new findings concerning the Hemus Motorway project.

Commenting on the planned Black Sea Motorway, he said Bulgaria continues to lag behind in developing key north-south transport links.

"There are no completed motorways in Bulgaria running along the north-south axis. One is the Black Sea Motorway and the other is the Ruse-Makaza route," he said.

Shishkov also criticized the previous management of the regional ministry over the construction of the Hemus Motorway.

"In 2021 we identified illegal construction on Lot 4 of the Hemus Motorway. Anyone could have seen it. Everything built without a construction permit is illegal. There are structures that were partially built without the necessary documentation," he said.

According to the minister, significant payments were made after construction permits had been issued.

"Following the issuance of the construction permit, around EUR 13 million was paid. At the same time, in 2021, when the illegal construction was identified, the contractors themselves declared that they were not the builders of the site. This was part of the model that led to a deep financial and moral crisis in governance," he added.

Referring to the case involving allegedly illegal construction at Baba Alino near Varna, Shishkov said institutions had acted in a coordinated manner, but not in support of legality.

"Certificates of tolerance were issued for buildings claimed to have been constructed in 2001, although some of the properties were not even owned by the respective company at that time," he said.

On the issue of water shortages, Shishkov argued that the main problem is not the amount of available water but the ageing infrastructure, much of which requires replacement.

He acknowledged that upgrading the network would cost billions of euros. According to him, an analysis is currently under way, but one month is not enough to determine the exact amount required.