Modernization of the road I-8 Kalotina - Sofia ring road 

Phased implementation:

Stage 1: Construction of a temporary railway line and a temporary road during the construction of a railway facility at km 3+660.00

Stage 2: Construction of a permanent railway line from km 52+898 to km 53+476.47 (railway route) and a facility at km 3+640.00 – crossing with the Sofia-Kalotina railway line

Stage 3: Section from km 1+000 to km 4+420 and from km 6+100 to km 15+500

The I-8 road in the section from the Kalotina border crossing to the city of Sofia is part of the main trans-European transport network on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The section planned for modernization is part of an important connection that ensures traffic between two large border points - the Kalotina border crossing on the Serbian border and the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing on the Turkish border.

The section has two traffic lanes and one emergency stop lane in both directions with a total gauge of 25.5 m. A railway overpass, as well as seven all-terrain overpasses and underpasses, an overpass for wild animals, etc., were built. Strengthening walls have been completed along the entire section and the construction of the Ežovica road has been completed, in the 600 m section of the newly constructed road covers the road.

Construction of the section began in February 2020. During the construction work, traffic on the I-8 Kalotina-Sofia expressway is not closed. On the existing main road, intensive traffic passes, which only during the typical active season from May to September every year, about 500 km pass. transportation performance per month.

More than 300,000 cubic meters of small masses were blown up, polished, and used for the construction of large embankments. Emergency work was carried out periodically, with several-hour interruptions to both automobile and railway traffic to ensure the safety of road users. The railway bridge was dismantled, and a new track was laid without disrupting traffic beneath the bridge.

The site is part of the main European traffic network. It is the route London - Budapest - Belgrade - Sofia - Plovdiv - Istanbul - Calcutta and is the fastest route connecting Western Europe with the Middle and Middle East. The checkpoint "Kalotina" - Sofija is connected to the "Orient/eastern Mediterranean" Corridor.

The modernization of the entire section from Kalotina to Dragoman improves the cross-border connection between Bulgaria and Serbia. With the construction of the section, travel time is reduced, and comfortable and safe driving conditions are ensured.

The contractor for the section from Kalotina to Dragoman is the association "STRABAG BPA" DZZD, which includes "Strabag" EAD, "Strabag Sp. z.o.o., Poland" and "Bitumina GmbH-Bulgaria" EOOD. The value of the contract is BGN 164,990,259.94 including VAT.