By 2030 Bulgaria should have established all elements for the major Trans-European Transport Network within its territory for all transport modes. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Peter Kirov, during today’s launch ceremony for the construction of Lot 2 of “Struma” highway. The event was attended by the Minister of Regional Development, Desislava Terzieva, Lazar Lazarov, Chairman of the Management Board of “Road Infrastructure” Agency, and others.

“The basic public funding tools to achieve this goal are the funds granted to Bulgaria under the Cohesion Fund and the European Regional Development Fund" added Deputy Minister Kirov. In his words, we have already achieved 49% settlement of funds to the beneficiaries, which amounts to more than 1,931 billion Lev. "This is actual money paid to the beneficiaries, which has entered our economy" he said.

"I hope that we will continue to carry out projects as well and on schedule as this one" said Peter Kirov. He wished for favorable meteorological conditions that do not impede the construction of the highway so that yet another section of it is completed on time.

The construction of the “Struma” highway Lots 1,2 and 4 and the preparation of Lot 3, which will be built in the next programming period 2014-2020, are being financed in the current programming period under OP "Transport". A grant under OP "Transport" amounting to 581 787 858.70 lev was provided for the implementation of the project. Eighty per cent of the amount is under the Cohesion Fund of the European Union and twenty per cent - national co-financing.

Lot 2 of "Struma" highway, the construction of which began today , covers the section from Dupnitza to Blagoevgrad and has a total length of 37.48 km. The Contractor of the site is Consortium "Struma-lot 2" and the value of the construction contract is 358 722 000.00 lev including VAT.