The transport underpass beneath Plovdiv Central Station resolves a 50-year-old problem for the city
“This is one of the most complex and strategic projects in Bulgaria’s railway sector. It will provide Plovdiv with modern infrastructure fully compliant with European standards for safety and interoperability. The Plovdiv Railway Junction is a key intersection through which more than 100 trains pass every day, making it critical for the national network,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov during an inspection of the project for the development of the Plovdiv Railway Junction.
The total value of the project exceeds BGN 298 million, financed under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the state budget, with completion scheduled for June 2026.
The most significant transformation is the underpass beneath Plovdiv Central Station – a two-lane road tunnel approximately 800 metres long, of which 580 metres are enclosed. “The underpass will provide a direct connection between the northern and southern parts of Plovdiv and will resolve a problem that has persisted for more than 50 years,” Karadjov emphasised. The facility will also ensure convenient access to the “South” and “Rodopi” bus stations, Spartak Stadium, and nearby commercial and administrative zones.
The project includes the modernisation of tracks and the catenary system, new signalling and telecommunications systems, construction of new platforms and canopies, facilities for persons with reduced mobility, pedestrian underpasses and overpasses, noise-protection installations, and a modern drainage system.
“The project involves two construction contracts. The first covers the modernisation of the Plovdiv – Krumovo and Plovdiv – Skutare sections, including Plovdiv Marshalling Yard, Krumovo and Skutare stations, where progress stands at 83%. The second contract concerns the modernisation of Plovdiv Station and the construction of the transport underpass, where progress has reached 85%,” the Deputy Prime Minister Karadjov said.
He noted that in parallel, the reconstruction of the Concrete Bridge, valued at nearly BGN 5 million, has been completed, with traffic restored since December 2024. “In this way, we are providing two parallel connections across the railway zone, which will significantly improve traffic flow,” Karadjov added.
The inspection was attended by Hristina Yancheva, Regional Governor of Plovdiv; Kostadin Dimitrov, Mayor of Plovdiv; municipal councillors; representatives of the contractor; and other officials.
