site.btaUPDATED Mezdra-Botevgrad Road to Be Completed within One Year - Regional Development Minister

The road connecting the northwestern town of Mezdra and the southwestern town of Botevgrad will be completed within one year, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Shishkov told journalists here on Monday. He inspected the construction works on the road. 

Shishkov noted that, at this stage, no complete road closure or traffic detours are planned in connection with the construction work.

Lot 1 of the Mezdra-Botevgrad section, from 174+800 km to 194+122 km, is part of Highway I-1 (E-79) Vidin-Sofia. It includes the route between the village of Lyutidol and Botevgrad. The estimated cost of the section is expected to exceed EUR 170 million, including VAT.

According to Shishkov, the main reason for the delays in the repairs is landslides, combined with the slow response of the State as the contracting authority. He noted that the slow pace of technical and managerial decision-making, as well as delays in approving Detailed Development Plans (DDPs) and project revisions, have led to the suspension of construction in the past. The Ministry has now taken measures, and the procedural issues are at an advanced stage.

When asked about the Struma Motorway project through the Kresna Gorge, Shishkov said that work is actively underway on the approved section - in the direction of Bulgaria and the Kresna bypass. A DDP was recently approved by an expert council, and the Council of Ministers has begun expropriation procedures. Work is also continuing on the environmental impact assessment procedures for the other lane, the Minister specified.

The Minister rejected claims of conflict or problems with the leadership of the Road Infrastructure Agency and emphasized the good cooperation.

Shishkov visited Vratsa and Botevgrad on Monday within his Ministry's Regions Speak initiative.