A total of five bids have been submitted for the public procurement contract concerning the technical design update and major renovation of the Trajan's Gate tunnel on the Trakia motorway. The information was officially announced by the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA). The proposals from the following participants have been opened:
- "Evropeyski Patishta" AD;
- "GBS – Infrastrukturno Stroitelstvo" AD;
- Consortium "Tunnel Group 2026", consisting of "GP Group" AD and "Trace Group Hold" AD;
- "Stenos" DZZD, consisting of "VDH" AD, "Hydrostroy" AD, and "Vahostav" AD;
- Association "Trajan's Gate 2025", including "ORS – Infrastruktura" OOD and "Todini Costruzioni Generali" S.p.A.
The large-scale renovation of the facility includes a comprehensive overhaul, covering the installation of new waterproofing, an advanced ventilation and drainage system, as well as new lining and sidewalk blocks. A major reconstruction of the road surface and the tunnel entrances is planned, including the renewal of the asphalt concrete pavement, vertical signage, and road markings. To enhance safety, two pedestrian evacuation cross-passages will be built between the two tubes to serve as emergency exits in the event of an incident. The renovated site will be equipped with modern combined emergency niches, featuring hydrants, SOS telephones, a fire-extinguishing system, and energy-efficient lighting.
The indicative value of the public procurement contract is 40,433,152.49 EUR excluding VAT, with funding provided by the national budget. The deadline for completing the design work is 60 calendar days, distributed across three intermediate stages, while the construction and assembly activities are to be completed within 365 days.
The tunnel is located at the 53rd km of the Trakia motorway and has been in operation for 40 years, since 1985, the Road Infrastructure Agency reminds. The length of the tube in the direction of Burgas is 720 m and it last underwent repairs in 1996-1997, while the tube for Sofia is 685 m long and was rehabilitated in 2002-2003. Each of the tubes has 3 traffic lanes.
The RIA emphasizes that the main goal of the upcoming reconstruction is to fulfill obligations under Directive 2004/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004. The document regulates the minimum safety requirements for tunnels within the trans-European road network. These regulations are mandatory for all facilities longer than 500 meters, regardless of their stage of development. The Agency had initially announced August 31 as the deadline for submitting bids for the project's execution.