📋 Tender Overview
Bulgaria withdraws the application form for the construction of the Struma motorway through the Kresna Gorge but continues to view the project as a priority and does not abandon it. The decision does not stop it but will accelerate the team work of all institutions involved in extending the only narrow section to the border with Greece. the Bulgarian side informs the European Commission of its decision to withdraw the application form for Lot 3.2 funding from the EU Cohesion Fund which was submitted for approval on 9 August 2019. The institutions are still working on the preparation of the application form in view of the priorities in the field on the ecology of the new European Commission which has already presented its European Green Pact.The decision was made after an in-depth analysis numerous expert talks and a special public opinion poll which categorically defines the completion of the Struma highway through the Kresna Gorge as extremely important for road safety.The Bulgarian side has always been aware of the difficulties associated with nature conservation in this area as well as the need to find a balanced solution that meets environmental and transport objectives. Given the ecologically sensitive protected area in which the section between Krupnik and Kresna is located the best solutions for its implementation have always been sought and in the course of preparation over the years many options were considered for the implementation of the section of Struma Motorway through Kresna Gorge. On the basis of all the studies carried out the Oriental Option D 10.50 chosen most meets the technical socio-economic and environmental requirements. However in order to be as precise as possible about the effects of the project on the species and habitats subject to conservation in the gorge the state will proceed to setting specific conservation goals and measures. To reduce the impact on Natura 2000 sites of the existing E-79 Road the Road Infrastructure Agency is committed to implementing by the end of 2020 a series of mitigation measures namely modification of existing drains installation of a bilaterally located network in the the banquet of the road the installation of 4-meter-high bird-knit bird nets on the sidewalks of large facilities.To improve road safety the possibility of establishing a video surveillance system and a system for informing and redirecting traffic on bypass roads and analyzing it for safe handling will be analyzed as well as improving the organization of traffic in the Kresna Gorge. To reduce the impact on Natura 2000 sites of the existing E-79 Road the Road Infrastructure Agency is committed to implementing by the end of 2020 a series of mitigation measures namely modification of existing drains installation of a bilaterally located network in the the banquet of the road the installation of 4-meter-high bird-knit bird nets on the sidewalks of large facilities. To improve road safety the possibility of establishing a video surveillance system and a system for informing and redirecting traffic on bypass roads and analyzing it for safe handling will be analyzed as well as improving the organization of traffic in the Kresna Gorge. To reduce the impact on Natura 2000 sites of the existing E-79 Road the Road Infrastructure Agency is committed to implementing by the end of 2020 a series of mitigation measures namely modification of existing drains installation of a bilaterally located network in the the banquet of the road the installation of 4-meter-high bird-knit bird nets on the sidewalks of large facilities.To improve road safety the possibility of establishing a video surveillance system and a system for informing and redirecting traffic on bypass roads and analyzing it for safe handling will be analyzed as well as improving the organization of traffic in the Kresna Gorge. modification of existing gutters installation of a bilaterally installed net in a banquet on the road installation of knitted bird netting 4 m high on the sidewalks of large facilities. To improve road safety the possibility of establishing a video surveillance system and a system for informing and redirecting traffic on bypass roads and analyzing it for safe handling will be analyzed as well as improving the organization of traffic in the Kresna Gorge. modification of existing gutters installation of a bilaterally installed net in a banquet on the road installation of knitted bird netting 4 m high on the sidewalks of large facilities. To improve road safety the possibility of establishing a video surveillance system and a system for informing and redirecting traffic on bypass roads and analyzing it for safe handling will be analyzed as well as improving the organization of traffic in the Kresna Gorge.At the request of the Road Infrastructure Agency in December the Trend Research Center conducted a national representative sociological survey. For 78 of the respondents the section through the Kresna gorge is dangerous and the construction of the highway will increase the safety of the passengers. For 70 of respondents the construction of the motorway is important for reducing travel time. 18 of Bulgarians are of the opinion that Struma Motorway should be completed independently that it passes through a protected zone and the highest percentage - 40 believe that the highway should be completed but with full guarantee for the protection of biodiversity. 13 agree that Struma Motorway should not be completed because it passes through protected territories. Only 5 of respondents believe that the motorway needs to be completed by another route.
