HEMUS MOTORWAY

Background & policy context: The route of the "Hemus" highway is part of the European road network connection to Corridor IV west to Corridor IX near Veliko Tarnovo. The realization of the highway will allow for connection of eastern and western parts of Bulgaria with the trans-European network. "Hemus" highway is seen as a strategic project, under whose impact is expected to accelerate the process of economic and social cohesion at regional level. Its construction will affect regional economies of the three planning regions of Bulgaria - North-West, North-Central and North-East, with a favourable impact on the business and creating new jobs. The total population that will benefit from improved infrastructure is approximately 2.9 million. People over an area of ​​almost 44 percent of the country. "Hemus" highway will connect the capital of the country - Sofia with the Bulgarian sea capital - Varna as duplicate class roads E70 from Varna to Shumen, E772 from Shumen to Jablanica Jablanica and E83 from Sofia. The expected length of the highway is about 420 km. Currently in operation are the sections "junction" Yana "-okolovrasten road Sofia - Jablanica" and ". Belokopitovo - Shumen - Varna "with a total length of about 170 km. "Hemus" highway will be east-west link in northern Bulgaria and Varna port, a key location for trade with Ukraine, Russia and Turkey. Objectives: Missing sections of the 'Hemus' highway starts from the town. Jablanica, Lovech region, west and ends at p. Belokopitovo, Shumen district, east and has a length of about 252 km. It is intended to connect the already built sections in the west and the east end. The route of the motorway passes through the 6 districts - Pleven, Lovech, Veliko Tarnovo, Targovishte, Razgrad and Shumen and in 18 municipalities within the counties.

In July 2013, a contract for grant assistance was signed between NCSIP and the Managing Authority of Operational Programme Transport 2007-2013 under Project № BG161PO004-2.0.01-0018 for “Preparation for the completion of Hemus Motorway” with a value of BGN 5 246 400. It is financed through Operational Programme on Transport 2007-2012 by means of the Cohesion Fund. The construction of stage 1 of the Hemus Motorway will be considered in the Programme period 2014-2020.