Grant scheme:

BG161P001/2.1-01/2007 'Support for reconstruction and rehabilitation of II class and III class roads'

Managing Authority: Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works

Beneficiary under the scheme: Road Infrastructure National Agency

Mechanism for financing the programme:

European Fund for Regional Development: 85%

State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria: 15%

Total funding under the scheme: 501,091,393 BGN

Minimum amount of funds for individual projects (lots): 1 million BGN

Maximum amount of funds for individual projects (lots): 45 million BGN

Planned duration of individual projects: up to 24 months.

Period of eligibility of expenditures: The overall period of eligibility of expenditures under OP 'Regional Development' is established by Decree of the Council of Ministers No. 62, dated 21.03.2007, namely: as from 01.01.2007 to 31.12.2015.

Technical description:

The goal of the grant scheme is to enhance the accessibility to major transport destinations within the planning areas through reconstruction and rehabilitation of II class and III class national roads (other than those included in the Trans-European Transport Network).

The technical projects for specific road sections include the following operations: rehabilitation and improvement of the operating condition of road surfaces and drainage, implementation of measures for enhancement of traffic safety. There are expectations to achieve the following results in the areas of operation: improvement of transport services to peripheral and economically underdeveloped territories with access to regional markets of goods and services and to big industrial centres, ensuring access to areas with potential for the development of tourism.

The Programme envisages rehabilitation of national II class and III class roads on the territories of the 27 District Road Authorities. The projects which the Road Infrastructure National Agency will submit to the Managing Authority have been structured by territories and will be implemented in stages, depending on their technical readiness.

In its capacity of specific beneficiary under the grant scheme of the Operative Programme 'Regional Development' for priority axis 'Regional and Local Road Infrastructure' on 30.01.2009 the Road Infrastructure National Agency submitted to the Managing Authority of OPRD at the MRDPW the application documents (Mid-term framework investment programme and project forms for facilities in the first stage of implementation). The total amount of funds for providing grants through the 2007 - 2013 period is 501,091,393 BGN.

The mid-term framework investment programme covers rehabilitation and reconstruction of some 1,300 km II class and III class roads of the national road network. Depending on the priorities and the readiness of the technical designs, the programme will be implemented in three stages.

The projects proposed for the first stage include 24 road sections of over 300 km, grouped into 15 lots. These projects are of high priority and with fully prepared design documentation and they can be launched following their evaluation by the Managing Authority of the OPRD and contract signature.

According to the approved application schedule under the programme, the documents for the second stage of implementation will be submitted by November 2009, and the documents for the third stage – in 2010.

NRIA is preparing the procurement tender procedures for the construction and supervision of the first stage.