Strumyani-Berovo border crossing and the engineering infrastructure near the crossing become national sites

The Strumyani-Berovo border crossing between the municipalities of Strumyani, Blagoevgrad Region, and Berovo, Republic of North Macedonia, becomes a national site. This government decision was announced by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, architect Ivan Shishkov, after today’s meeting.

By the same decision, the engineering infrastructure to the border crossing, including the road III-1008 (Kresna - Kulata) Strumyani - Mikrevo - Razdol - Klepalo - Macedonia border, was declared a national object.

“This is emblematic and shows the attitude of the state towards infrastructure development. In addition, the designation as a national object facilitates the procedures that are related to the Spatial Planning Act, approval of detailed spatial plans, expropriation and others, so that we can not delay the development of this infrastructure object,” Minister Shishkov said. He added that this checkpoint will have a regional character, through it will not be allowed the passage of heavy trucks, but only passenger and cargo vehicles with a total technically permissible maximum mass up to or equal to 3.5 tons. There is an agreement between the two countries on its construction since 1999, the regional minister recalled. He assured that the completion of the border checkpoint “Strumyani-Berovo” is being worked on in both directions. On the Bulgarian side, efforts will also be made for the design and construction of a road to the border, because at the moment there is none.

The project for the construction of the border crossing point is funded under the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria - North Macedonia 2021 - 2027 programme and has a total value of 9 million euro.

The main objective of the project is to improve connectivity in the region and stimulate economic growth by facilitating the movement of people and goods, strengthening communication links and facilitating access to the TEN-T core network, including the connection to transport corridors IV and VIII.

The contracting authority for the design and construction of the road leading to the new border checkpoint is the Road Infrastructure Agency, and at the moment conceptual variants of the route have been developed and a procedure under the Environmental Protection Act has been initiated. Funding for the construction of the road is possible under the Operational Programme “Development of Regions” 2021 - 2027.