How much will it cost to divert transit traffic from Simitli?

Thirteen companies are participating in a market study by the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) for a section of the Struma motorway that will divert traffic to Bansko and Razlog outside the city

11:01 10.10.2025 ~ 3 min read

A total of 13 companies have participated in the Road Infrastructure Agency's market study for the design and construction of a section of the Struma motorway near Simitli, which will divert transit traffic from the city. The price range for the project is between BGN 100.5 and 190.5 million, excluding VAT.

The market study was announced at the end of September, and its purpose is to prepare a public procurement contract with the long title: "Design (technical design) and construction of the Struma Motorway Lot 3.1 in the section from km 373+300 to km 376+000 with a design solution that will divert transit traffic to and from the towns of Razlog and Bansko from the borders of the town of Simitli, in accordance with the approved design for the Struma Motorway – Lot 3.1, including the left lane of the motorway from km 373+300 to km 375+871, doubled to gauge G-20 with a planned road connection in the direction of Bansko – Kulata at the Simitli – East road junction.

Key project

Despite its short length (about 2.7 km), the project is key to solving a long-standing transport problem and completing the motorway. Currently, after the Zheleznitsa tunnel, traffic from the motorway merges with the E79 road, which passes through Simitli. This is because the next section of the motorway – between Krupnik and Kresna through the gorge – has not been completed.

Until now, all transit traffic to the winter resorts of Bansko and Razlog has mixed with local traffic in Simitli, using the city entrances and intersections on main road I-1 (E79). This leads to heavy traffic jams, especially during peak seasons, and a high risk of accidents. The aim of the project is to remove this traffic entirely from the boundaries of Simitli.

The announced market study concerns the engineering (design and construction) of two main things:

Simitli-East road junction: This is a complex road connection that will separate transit from local traffic. Its most important function is to provide a direct, conflict-free connection between Bansko and Kulata. Traffic from Razlog/Bansko will no longer stop at intersections but will merge directly onto the southbound motorway lane;
Completion of the motorway: To ensure the proper development of the junction and safety, the project provides for the construction of the left lane (in the direction of Sofia) of the motorway from km 373+300 to km 375+871. It will be doubled to a full motorway gauge G-20 (with two lanes and an emergency lane).

The project is particularly important as it will put the entire motorway crossing through the Kresna Gorge into a more distant perspective. We would like to remind you that the Road Infrastructure Agency has already launched a tender for the development of a conceptual design for the entire Sofia-Kulata transport route in the Simitli-Kresna section, outside the Kresna Gorge. Several bids have been submitted, but the price proposals have not yet been opened.

Great interest

The fact that 13 companies have submitted bids shows that the construction sector is ready to commit to the project. Large companies such as GP Group and Strabag have also submitted their bids.

If we compare the quantitative values of their bids, the low total value offered by Strabag – BGN 100.5 million excluding VAT – is striking. Although it is the lowest, it seems unrealistic compared to the other bids. This price is over 40% lower than the highest bid and tens of millions below the average value of the other bids. Most likely, the API will ask the Austrian company to justify its bid.

The Stroyinvest Group consortium has submitted a bid of BGN 190.5 million excluding VAT, which is the upper limit of the price range.

All other bids are in the high range – between BGN 176 and 189 million. The estimated value of the upcoming public procurement contract, which the API is to announce, will most likely be within these limits.