site.btaCompletion of Hemus Motorway, Vidin–Botevgrad Road among Government’s Top Priorities, Regional Minister Says

Completing key infrastructure projects such as the Hemus Motorway and the road connecting Vidin and Botevgrad is among the main priorities of the current government, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Ivanov said during a national meeting of the Chamber of Bulgarian Road Hauliers, the Ministry said in a press release on Saturday.

Attending the forum were over 100 representatives of transport companies. Ivanov reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the programme for compensating and supporting transport operators in connection with the increase in road toll fees, as agreed with Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

“One of the main goals of this administration is the construction of new and maintenance of existing roads. This must be done through understanding between the state and those who use the roads,” Ivanov stressed.

The Regional Minister said that completion of the Hemus Motorway remains a top priority. About 10 kilometres of the section between Boaza and Dermantsi have already been opened to light and medium-duty vehicles, and the segment is expected to open to heavy-duty traffic by the end of 2025 once finishing works on Road III-305 are completed.

Ivanov noted that the government’s ambition is to allocate as much funding as possible in next year’s state budget for the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Vidin–Botevgrad road, where construction is expected to resume at the beginning of 2026 on sections north of Vratsa, suspended for political reasons.

The Minister also said that the section between Gara Yana and Sofia of the Hemus Motorway is soon to be commissioned. The carriageway towards Varna will be repaired in the spring to avoid traffic disruptions during the winter months.

Commenting on the expected increase in toll rates in March 2026 due to the introduction of the so-called eco-component under EU regulations, Ivanov said he will advocate for the revenues from tolls to be used for the construction of modern rest areas, intelligent road systems, and lighting, so that the national road network offers better conditions, particularly for the transport sector.