The construction of a tunnel under Shipka peak, central Balkan range, Bulgaria, does not appear anywhere in the project of the new Transport Operational Programme, favoured at the time of previous government of GERB, and now, with the changes of priorities in the programme of the new cabinet – moved to the pool of marginal project ideas. Ignoring it, however, can have serious consequences for the country. Some time ago the former minister responsible for EU funds and current member of GERB – Tomislav Donchev warned: „Bulgaria has committed in connection with the accession to build this facility and if we don’t, we will be penalized – once due to unfulfilled commitment taken under the Accession Treaty, and the second time – because the country spent European money on road projects without having finished the tunnel.“
In principle the construction of a tunnel under Shipka is divided into two phases. The first is the Gabrovo bypass and is funded under the current programme „Transport“ and the second is the tunnel itself, which was left for the new programming period. Moreover, at the end of last year Road Infrastructure Agency announced a contract for the development of an extended project for Gabrovo bypass facility under the mountain peak, which will be 3220 meters long, 10.5 meters wide and 4.8 meters high. It is expected that winner of the auction should make extensive geological and hydrological studies so that the route is proven not to lie along active landslides. The winner will have to offer the best places for the location of the entrance and exit of the tunnel, respectively, on the side of Gabrovo and Kazanlak. Also – options for ventilation, lighting, plumbing, electric and road signs. A contractor has not already been selected.
Otherwise, over the next six years the funds from the Connecting Europe Facility should go also to perform the modernization of the railway stretch Vidin – Medkovets from the line Vidin- Sofia and the railway line Sofia – Dragoman. The same mechanism will apply for the improvement of navigation on the Danube in the joint Bulgarian – Romanian section.
The BANKER
