We have started the modernization of the entire rail line from September to Plovdiv within the last few weeks. This was stated by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Danail Papazov, today in Plovdiv, during the official start of the construction of the railway section Stamboliiski - Plovdiv.

"A few months ago, here in Plovdiv, I promised to build a road subway between Modar Street and Tsarevets Street. I can now say that this promise will be fulfilled", said Minister Danail Papazov. He said that the subway will connect the Southern and Western parts of the city and will facilitate the traffic in the city.

Minister Danail Papazov further announced that two footbridges will be constructed to ensure the safe passage of people over the railway line. One of them will be temporary until the completion of the construction works and the reconstruction of Tsarevets Street and Modar Steert. The other will be permanent for the pedestrian passage over the railway line in Elin Pelin Street in the residential area of Preslav. The footbridges will be equipped with lifts and adapted to be used by persons with reduced mobility. The value of these objects is 3.2 million levs provided from the budget of the National Railway Infrastructure Company.

The modernization of the railway section Stamboliiski - Plovdiv is part of the project "Modernization of the railway section Septemvri - Plovdiv - part of the Trans European Railwaay Network" and is co-financed by the Cohesion Fund under Operational Programme "Transport" 2007-2013. The value of the contract for the construction of the railway section Stamboliiski - Plovdiv amounts to over 67 million levs VAT included. The entire stretch from Septemvri to Plovdiv is 53 km, and will allow a speed of 160 km/h.

In the modernization of the railway section Stamboliiski - Plovdiv a new pedestrian underpass at the railway station of Todor Kableshkov will be built, while the subway at the railway station of Kadievo will be modernized. New platforms and ramp covers and noise protection walls will be installed at the railway stations and stops on the section. The overhead line will be updated too.

The ceremony was attended by the commercial attache of Austria, Michael Angerer, the Director General of SE NRIC, Milcho Lambrev, the mayor of Plovdiv, Ivan Totev, the governor of Plovdiv, Vencislav Kaymakanov, parliamentarians, representatives of municipal and regional administration and other officials.