The rapid procedure provided for in the Public Procurement Act – negotiating without announcement notice, is intended to be used by the Ministry of Regional Development in its selection of companies to repair two viaducts of Hemus highway and Trakia motorway.
The foundations of these bridges are under water. They are in very critical condition and at risk after the heavy rains in recent days which made the situation even more worrisome. If the state waits for too long the repair works will take many millions and many years to be carried out. Therefore, the decision of the Government was to invite major Bulgarian and foreign companies that can quickly react, get involved in this process and begin to strengthen the facilities, said Minister Liliana Pavlova last week.
According to the analyzes of experts from the Agency of Road Infrastructure for the repair of all old road facilities in the country over 200 million lev are needed. In very poor condition are 11 for them and they will need 60 million lev. First the country will start with the three viaducts, a decision of the Cabinet on Wednesday (May 30) said. The Government earmarked for the reconstruction and strengthening of these facilities a total of 43 million lev from the budget. The money is actually part of a sum of 85 million lev which a month ago was provided for the construction and repair of other roads that will now have to wait as they are not in quite so critical condition.
The commitments that the Prime Minister made Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov undertake are twofold. The first it to check and review the budgets of all ministries, departments and agencies and see – if there are any funds that can be saved. Another option will be to look for way of how to redirect unused funds from the Environment Operational Programme, which would require the permission of the European Commission.
The theme of dangerous bridges was discussed on Wednesday at a special meeting in the National Assembly by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and representatives of the various parliamentary groups.
The consensus is needed to enable the regional ministry and the road infrastructure agency to initiate a procedure for selection of companies to strengthen these bridges. Experts from all political parties should also be sent to carry out the selection of these firms that need to possess specialized equipment. For the smaller facilities such as the one over the Struma valley there will be a new procedure that will last for about three months.
Finally, after the usual political controversy, the Parliament adopted on Thursday a special consensus statement. It calls on the government to take immediate measures to start the appropriate repair and restoration activities at the viaducts and bridges currently at risk.
