Despite the difficult start and the ad hoc change of projects, the poster child for all operational programmes in Bulgaria at the end of the current budget period is undoubtedly the Transport OP. According to recent data, the contracted funds have been over 2 billion (101% of its budget) while the covered from Brussels costs – came to 935.87 million (47%). It finances the implementation of 14 investment projects, nine of which are large, i.e. of over 50 million euro, and they were approved by the European Commission.
Three of the projects were completed and put into operation – two for the underground network extension in Sofia, plus the completion of the highway Trakia. According to the Transport Ministry, all projects that are currently running will end in time for eligibility of cost recovery – December 31, 2015.
However, there are some troubles even here. The projects of the detour of Gabrovo and the motorway Kalotina-Sofia, Lot 1 – the western arc of the Sofia ring road have selected contractors and the construction goes with money from the national budget. The problem is that by a formal letter of 4 October 2013, the European Commission rejected their financing through the funds of the Transport operational programme as Bulgarian leaders did not provide 76.94 million euro to complete the project for reconstruction and electrification of the railway line Plovdiv-Svilengrad and modernization of the railway station September-Plovdiv. According to the unofficial opinion from the European Investment Bank, the financial institution will provide 30.69 million euro needed for the section Septemvri-Plovdiv. For the second railway project, however, the transport ministry will have to find the necessary funding through savings or transfer of funds within the OP.
The BANKER
