In October, MOEW is expected to make its decision regarding the environmental impact evaluation for the stretch of the “Struma” highway passing through the Kresna gorge

Over 40% of works on lot 3.3 Kresna – Sandanski of the highway have already been implemented

In October, we are expecting the Minister of the environment and waters, who is the competent body, to announce a decision with regard to the Environmental impact evaluation and the final version of the route of lot 3.2 of “Struma” highway. This comment was made today by the Minister of regional development and public works Nikolay Nankov, who, together with the Chairman of the BD of the “Road infrastructure” agency, eng. Doncho Atanasov, inspected today the progress of construction of lot 3.3 of the highway between Kresna – Sandanski.

The Minister said that on 25 September, together with the ministers of the environment and waters Neno Dimov, of transport, information technology and communications, Ivaylo Moskovski, and of tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, he will meet European Commissioners Corina Cretu and Karmenu Vella in Brussels for the second time within two months. The first time, we presented the roadmap for project implementation and the schedule for implementation of public discussions. Now we will present the results, he explained.

I believe that the subject will be exhausted with regard to procedure, whereas it is subject to appeal. The single-instance proceedings adopted by the National assembly with the changes in the Law on environmental protection guarantees the interest of stakeholders to appeal, indicated Nankov. I expect that this will shorten deadlines in the event of complaints, so that we keep up with the schedule, he added. Our global aim is to start construction on lot 3.2 Krupnik – Kresna in 2019, so as to avoid returning funds, and to have a completely finished “Struma” highway by the end of 2023, said the regional Minister.

It is clear from the minutes of implemented public discussions that the local public, including the local authorities, have united, with minor exceptions, around version D 10.50, which envisages two separate lanes of the highway and which is a priority of the “Road infrastructure” agency in all financial, economic, and technological analyses and also with regard to deadlines from the point of view of road safety and environmental measures, announced Nankov in reply to a question. Public discussions proved that the local community also sees the advantages. There are some concerns we managed to resolve, and this will happen through the specific actions of the RIA for the construction of the envisaged road connections, he added, and stressed that the two lanes are intended to be connected with the construction of five road junctions. These will allow agricultural producers to reach their lands, said the Minister. Places for markets are planned, as well as four parking lots, two of which have been designed and included in the EIE. Two similar zones will be constructed also on the territory of Simitli Municipality, within lot 3.1, he announced.

In reply to a question, Nikolay Nankov noted that few ecological arguments were expressed during the implemented public discussions for the project in support of the version involving construction of two lanes of the highway outside the gorge, to the East of Kresna.

We will kindly ask competent bodies to perform a check about the way the signatures were collected in the petition organized by ecological organizations in Kresna and whether those who have signed know what they have signed, announced the Minister of regional development and public works. From people we have talked to we have information that they were asked to sign as on a record of attendance upon entry into the Municipal administration building, he explained.

A petition has been made with over 5,000 collected signatures in support of the Eastern version, informed Nankov.

The minister reiterated that the Eastern version of route for lot 3.2 envisages all kinds of business opportunities for the local public, straightening of curves, installing crash barriers, and construction of environmental infrastructure. Besides, 50% of the traffic will be drawn out of the gorge, travel being one-way in it.

Our most important arguments are human lives and the fastest possible construction of the route through the toughest section from the point of view of road safety, asserted the Minister. We will implemented the project on time, with European financing and co-financing from the national budget, he added.

During the inspection of lot 3.3 Kresna – Sandanski of the highway, it was found that the physical implementation of works is over 40% of the total volume of works. Placing of the first asphalt layers on it will begin by the end of September. If the same pace of work is maintained and archaeologists manage, the stretch will be completed as early as the end of next year, announced minister Nankov.

Clearing of the site and excavation of humus have been completed. Works are being done on mounds on the direct route, road junction “Strumyani", on two plazas for rest, etc.

Bridges above the rivers Zlinska, Gradeshka, and Potoka have been completed, as well as the bridge above road junction “Strumyani” and also 8 agricultural underpasses and overpasses. Over 70 drains, facilities for animals, and passes for drainage channels, reinforced walls have been made, reconstruction of two gas pipelines has been completed.

Work continues on 11 facilities: on a viaduct at 418 km, on 2 bridges over the river Struma, on 3 bridges over the river Sandanska Bistritsa, on the overpass above the railway line Sofia – Kulata at 415 km, etc.

The contractor for lot 3.3 is the Consortium “Struma Lot 3.3", comprised of: “GBS infrastructure construction” ADD, “Patstroy 92” AD, “Glavbolgarstroy” AD, and “Geostroy” AD. The contract value is BGN 234,123,012, VAT-exclusive. Construction oversight will be implemented by “Patinvestengineering” AD. Their contract is for BGN 2,998,161.28, VAT-exclusive.

 Lot 3.3 from km 397+000 to km 420+624 is a part of the project: “Struma” highway – lot 3.1, lot 3.3, and “Zheleznitsa” tunnel. It is co-financed by the European union Cohesion fund and the national budget through OP “Transport and transport infrastructure” 2014-2020.

The length of the “Struma” highway – from Daskalovo to the border with Greece – is 150 km. It is part of the corridor “Orient/ Eastern Mediterranean” connecting Vidin with Kulata, and the road traffic toward Greece goes through it. The route is used as the shortest way between Western, Central Europe and White sea, and also as a connection between Europe and Asia.