Construction of the Struma Highway through Kresna is expanding

Construction of the “Struma” highway in the Kresna area is nearing the opening of new construction fronts beyond the city bypass currently under construction. The draft Detailed Development Plan (DDP) for the 13.2-kilometer Lot 3.2.1 has already been reviewed by the National Expert Council at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, while on the other section – Lot 3.2.2 – work is proceeding as a priority on the reconstruction of the gas pipeline that crosses the route.

This became clear from a response by Regional Minister Ivan Shishkov during parliamentary oversight on Friday.

This development marks the next step in preparing the sections of Lot 3.2 between Krupnik and Kresna that have not yet begun construction. As Economic.bg reported in July, the technical design for Lot 3.2.1 had already been approved, but before actual construction could begin, the parcel plans still needed to be approved and a building permit issued. At that time, the Regional Development Ministry had stated that construction work on the section could begin by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

According to Shishkov, on September 21, the draft detailed urban plan for Lot 3.2.1 had already been reviewed by the National Expert Council on Spatial Planning and Regional Policy at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. The minister did not state in parliament that the plan had already been finally approved, nor did he announce a specific date for the issuance of the building permit.

Lot 3.2 is the last major uncompleted section of the “Struma” highway and covers the route between Krupnik and Kresna. It is divided into two sub-lots – Lot 3.2.1, 13.2 km long, and Lot 3.2.2, 10.4 km long, which includes the Kresna bypass.

The gas pipeline is key

There have also been developments regarding Lot 3.2.2, part of which is the Kresna bypass currently under construction. Outside the bypass, the route of the future highway crosses a gas transmission pipeline, which requires its reconstruction prior to the construction of the relevant sections.

According to Shishkov, the highway crosses the gas pipeline at four points, and the designs have been coordinated with “Bulgartransgaz.” For some of the crossings, it has been decided that the reconstruction will be carried out by the gas operator itself.

At the moment, this reconstruction is being carried out as a priority,” the minister stated.

According to him, an agreement has also been reached on the phased implementation of the work so that “Bulgartransgaz’s” requirements are met and conditions are created for the issuance of a building permit for Lot 3.2.2 in its entirety.

This is an important next step for the section. In July, a response from Shishkov to Parliament indicated that a detailed urban plan (DUP) had already been approved for the portion of Lot 3.2.2 outside the bypass itself, but expropriation procedures were still underway. At that time, the minister anticipated that construction could begin as early as September, provided there were no appeals. In August, the cabinet also approved funding for additional property expropriations needed for the project.

Why is the route being changed again?

The issue came before Parliament following a question from MP Kosta Stoyanov (“Vazrazhdane”) regarding additional agricultural properties affected near Kresna and the latest changes to the parcel plan.

Shishkov rejected the claim that this was yet another arbitrary expansion of the project’s scope. According to him, the changes to the route between Simitli and Kresna are the result of environmental procedures and the need to bring the project into compliance with the requirements for the “Kresna”, “Ilindentsi” and “Kresna – Ilindentsi” protected areas.

Because of these, the route has been shifted in certain sections, emergency lay-bys have been added, and interchanges, connections, tunnels, lanes for slow-moving vehicles, and rest areas have been refined. It is precisely these changes that determine which properties will be affected by the project, the minister explained.

He also defended the retention of the planned short-term rest area, around which there is also a dispute regarding land expropriation.

We cannot afford to remove this rest area because it is not just a commercial facility – it is a rest area,” Shishkov stated.

The goal remains to complete the entire Struma highway

According to the current plan, the two lanes of the future highway are ultimately to be routed outside the Kresna Gorge, while the existing E-79 road will remain as an alternative route.

However, I believe the more important news is that we are actively working to complete the “Struma” highway,” Shishkov said.

According to him, the most important thing is for the project to be fully implemented, as the current route through Kresna continues to cause serious traffic problems.

Translated with DeepL.