The regional development ministry will draw up designs for 1,300 km of motorways and expressways in 2027, it said. Design work on some sections has yet to start, while on others it is under way.

The other main task is water pipes. About €47m is earmarked for 40 water supply projects to cut water losses. Losses are around 60%, meaning more than half of the water never reaches users. The ministry links the priority to a shortage of drinking water and frequent pipe breaks in many towns and villages.

The ministry says the road designs should link the regions better. The work will also get new projects ready to move on to the next stages.

The section from Botevgrad to Mezdra and the zero lot near Vidin are expected to be finished in 2027.

One of the main projects is the Struma motorway, which has been under construction for years. The easier sections are done, while the harder ones lie ahead and their design will take time, the ministry said.

One part of the road from Ruse to Makaza already has a detailed development plan, while the design for the other part has yet to be drawn up. Design work on the expressway from Ruse to Shumen has also yet to start.

Work also continues on the delayed ring roads around Sofia and Plovdiv. Regional development minister Ivan Shishkov says both roads are at an early design stage, so they will also be included in the next budgets.