“What is happening with the state budget at the moment is extremely worrying and as the head of this department I would not allow myself to stop this project, because it is extremely important both for the connectivity of the region and for the international connectivity of the country, and for Ruse it is vital to turn it into an economic center of Northern Bulgaria“. This was said by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov during an inspection of the Byala bypass, which is part of the route of the future Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo highway. During the work, the presence of loess soils was established, the regional minister reminded. “That is why I am here today to see to what extent the technology proposed by the contractor will be adequate for the implementation of the project, because otherwise we will enter the hypothesis of an extremely high cost increase in the implementation of all construction and installation works on the Byala bypass“, he added. Ivan Ivanov explained that the proposed technology is used in many places in the world. The difference is that it will be applied on a section of the road with a long length and at high altitudes.
In response to a question from the media, the minister pointed out that the pre-project geological surveys have not shown the presence of loess soils. A solution is being sought to continue the construction of the Byala bypass at an accelerated pace. It is also necessary to amend the project and coordinate all activities that need to be carried out on the highway. Ivanov explained that the tests are within the norms and at the moment there is no danger of stopping the project. A final result can be expected within a month. The results of tests carried out according to the relevant requirements are also expected.
„Construction and installation works have begun on the construction of high embankments. It took a little longer to refine them, because on a global scale they are the highest on this section. We had to be sure that the newly built route would be sustainable. Work is currently being done on it and there is no suspension of construction“, said Ventsislav Atanasov – member of the Management Board of the „Road Infrastructure“ Agency.
Minister Ivanov also announced to the media that there is also progress on the other sections of the Ruse – Veliko Tarnovo highway. A construction permit for section 1, between Ruse and Byala, is expected in May. Expropriation procedures are being implemented at a good pace in order to begin the construction of a road junction. "We anticipate that the necessary funds for both sections will be provided in the RIA budget for this year," he said. At the end of last year, RIA finalized talks with the JASERS initiative and is beginning negotiations with the "Transport Connectivity" Program to attract additional funding, which will cover most of the costs, the minister also said.