The project for the expansion of the Metro will have the full support of the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications during the new programming period of the Operational Programme "Transport", said, Minister Danail Papazov today during the presentation of the results of the project for the preparation of the third metro line. The event was attended by the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova, the Executive Director of "Metropolitan" PLC Stoyan Bratoev and others.

"I hope that within the next programming period of the OP" Transport " we will continue the successful expansion of the metro system, the first precondition for this being already there - we have prepared a project for the construction of the third metro line," said Minister Papazov. According to him, the objective is for the Ministry complete projects in each priority axis, so that after 2014 the actual implementation can begin. There are already two fully completed projects within the European programme, which will be funded after 2014, and ten others are in the pipeline.

Over the current programming period, the project for the expansion of Sofia Metropolitan has been among the most successful infrastructural projects implemented under Operational Programme "Transport". The programme has provided more than 1 billion lev for its construction, which included the expansion of the first metro-diameter and the construction of the second. The length of the metro lines has increased from 18 km to 31 km and there are 27 metro stations, and two other sections are in progress.

"As important as the project for the expansion of the metro is, we must make further efforts for the preparation and implementation of projects related to the construction of intermodal terminals, which are funded under the same priority axis. They are the link between the different modes of transport and an essential prerequisite for the development of the transport infrastructure and the increase in the volume of cargo passing through" said Minister Papazov.

The planned route of the third metro line goes through Vladimir Vazov Blvd – Evlogi Georgiev Blvd – Eagles Bridge – National Palace of Culture – Residential area “Ovcha kupel”. Its length is 16.5 km with 19 metro stations. Operational Programme "Transport" has allocated 2.7 million lev for its preparation, and the indicative value of the construction works amounts to 680 million euros.