Progress on the Sofia - Montana Expressway Project

The construction of the strategic road link between Sofia and Montana, which includes a tunnel under the "Petrohan" pass, is now in an active preparatory phase. The Minister of Regional Development and Public Works confirmed that the priority is the completion of the environmental assessments (EIA and AA).

"We are working intensively to achieve the fastest possible final result and hope there will be no unnecessary appeals," commented Minister Ivan Shishkov.

Key milestones and deadlines:

  • August 2025: Expected signing of the contract for the preparation of environmental reports.
  • Mid-2027: Expected EIA decision under an accelerated schedule.
  • Parallel actions: Launch of conceptual designs and geological surveys before final environmental approval.

Despite the challenges, an option for a public-private partnership is also being considered, in case budget funds prove insufficient for the large-scale infrastructure project.