site.btaSix Entities Submit Bids to Develop Sofia-Kulata Route

Six bids have been opened in the public tender for the selection of a contractor for the ‘Development of a conceptual design for the comprehensive provision of transport services on the Sofia-Kulata route in the Simitli-Kresna section, outside the Kresna Gorge,’ the Road Infrastructure Agency reported on Tuesday.

The bids came from: Dimitar Georgiev Markov; Via Plan; Katmar 13; a partnership under the Obligations and Contracts Act comprised of EKJ Bulgaria Consulting Engineers Ltd and United EOOD; a partnership under the Obligations and Contracts Act comprised of Rutex, Energoexpert AD, and Trafic Holding; a partnership under the Obligations and Contracts Act comprised of Transconsult-22, Mason Masters, Aqua Terra Consult LTD, Enveco S.A.

The estimated value of the contract is BGN 2.5 million excluding VAT.

The future contractor will have to develop a conceptual design for a new route. The goal is to conduct studies on the possibility of constructing the Struma Motorway in the direction of Kulata in stages, immediately adjacent to the Sofia-bound motorway. This will completely divert transit traffic away from the gorge and allow the current route of I-1 (E79) to remain as a local route.

The contractor will also have to prepare the Environmental Impact Assessment and the compatibility assessment per the procedures set out in the Environment Protection Act and the Biological Diversity Act.