The National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC) announced the completion of a large-scale pre-investment study for the construction of a new railway line from Yambol to the border crossing at Lesovo. This strategic project, which is part of the European Union's comprehensive TEN-T network, aims to improve transport connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkey.
According to information provided by NRIC, the new railway line will have a total length of 71 kilometers and will consist of two main sections. The first section, about 39 kilometers long, will connect Yambol and Elhovo, largely following the existing route. The second section, which will be entirely new, will stretch about 32 kilometers from Elhovo to Lesovo and the Turkish border, passing through more complex terrain and bypassing populated areas.
The project envisages an ambitious design speed of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains, which will significantly improve the efficiency of rail transport in the region. Six stops and three stations will be built along the line, with the route continuing towards the Turkish border after the Lesovo border station.
NRIC experts emphasize the strategic importance of the project for Bulgaria as a key transport corridor between the European Union and Turkey. The new railway line will provide faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly movement of passengers and goods, which will contribute to the economic development of the region and improve international trade relations.
As part of the pre-investment study, detailed implementation plans, traffic forecasts, capacity analysis, financial-economic and environmental analysis, as well as various options for project development have been developed. These in-depth analyses will serve as a solid basis for making informed decisions in the next stages of implementation.
The funding for the pre-project studies, amounting to 525,814 leva, is provided through the "Transport Connectivity" Program 2021-2027, with 85% of the funds provided by the European Union. This fact underscores the significance of the project not only at the national but also at the European level.
The indicative timeframe for the construction of the route is six years, which implies intensive work and coordination between various stakeholders. The realization of the project will require significant investments and expertise in the field of railway construction and infrastructure development.
The importance of this project was further emphasized at the end of June when Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdán Karádzhov held talks with his Turkish counterpart Abdulkadir Uraloğlu during the Global Transport Connectivity Forum in Istanbul. The two ministers discussed opportunities to increase the capacity of rail and road connections between Bulgaria and Turkey, with the aim of facilitating travel and easing heavy traffic coming from Istanbul.
The completion of this pre-investment study marks an important step forward in the realization of the ambitious railway project. It is expected that in the near future, the next steps will be taken to secure the necessary funding and begin the actual construction, which will transform the transport infrastructure in the region and strengthen Bulgaria's position as a key transport hub between Europe and Asia.