EC Grants EUR 120 M for Sofia Northern Bypass

The European Commission has approved a grant of EUR 120 M for the Sofia Northern Bypass project.

The project was approved through a decision of the EC on June 4, according to a media statement of Bulgaria's Ministry of Regional Development.

The funding is to be provided under operational program "Regional Development" 2007-2013.

The project is funded under the scheme "Support for rehabilitation and reconstruction of second-class and third-class roads" and the beneficiary is the Road Infrastructure Agency.

The construction of the Sofia Northern Bypass (also known as Northern Speed Tangent) will provide a convenient connection between the outermost northwestern and southeastern districts of Sofia.

The new six-lane road is to improve the access of the remotest districts of Sofia to the city center, making traffic more convenient and saving time and preventing traffic jams.

The bypass will connect 4 motorways - A1 Trakia motorway (via Sofia ring road), A2 Hemus motorway, the future Kalotina motorway and A6 Lyulin motorway. The Sofia Northern Bypass will also connect 3 Pan-European corridors - IV, VIII and X.

The construction of the 16-km road is to lead to an equal distribution of traffic between it and the Sofia ring road and to help reduce noise, vibrations and harmful emissions.

The amount of the EC grant is EUR 120 151 948, including 85% of co-financing from the European Fund for Regional Development.

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