Minister Nankov: Probably No More than 2/3 of the National Road Network Will Get within the Scope of the Tolls

An analysis at an expert and political level which roads should get within the scope of the toll system is to be made. Probably they will be no more than 2/3 of the national road network and the revenues from the introduction of the system will be used solely for improvement of the safety of the roads. The Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Nikolay Nankov said this in the show “More from the Day” of the Bulgarian National Television.

Nankov reminded that the damages from the introduction of the toll system because of appeals are over 1,5 million BGN per day. “Each day is of significance for us. This is why we will request the preliminary implementation of the procedure”, the Minister declared. And he indicated that a case will be initiated for profits lost against the appellants, who, according to his words, misuse the right to sabotage the building up of the system.

The revenues from the toll system will be spent for maintenance of the road infrastructure and for the construction of new speed sections of the national road network. An expert debate will be conducted on the issue whether it is fair that a part of the revenues, generated from operation of the national network should also be used for maintenance of municipal roads.

He declared in the studio of the Bulgarian National Television that it is expected that up to year 2019 the construction of the last and most difficult section of Struma Motorway – the section through Kresna Gorge will start up. On 19 October the public procurement for the construction of Tunnel Zheleznitsa was resumed, and the work on the remaining two sections – from Blagoevgrad to Krupnik and from Kresna to Sandanski is done in conformity with the schedule, Nankov added.

After a verification made and a report developed on the condition of the tunnels in the country, 16 tunnel pipes need repairs, the Minister explained. The right-hand pipes in the direction of Varna, of the tunnels Vitinya and Echemishka of Hemus Motorway have already been repaired in conformity with all the European norms. On 20 November the pipe in the direction of Sofia of Vitinya Tunnel will also be opened for the traffic. All the remaining tunnel facilities will be repaired in stages.

After organization was created today, repair activities on a 100-meter section of Asparuh’s Bridge will start up from tomorrow. No difficulties will be created for the traffic in winter months. “We plan for 25 days to complete the repairs of these 100 m, and we will continue in spring so that the bridge will be completed”, Minister Nankov indicated.

On 1 November we introduce a regime of winter maintenance of the national roads. We created the needed organization and we have the readiness for cleaning the roads in winter. The resource for snow cleaning was provided for, and if the winter is milder and funds are saved, the savings will be at the expense of more repaired roads in 2018, the Regional Minister also commented.

You may see the participation of the Minister in the show “More from the Day” HERE.