The modernization of Plovdiv – Bourgas railway line faces us with the challenges of the new digital world where human mistakes will be reduced to zero and the main goal will be the satisfaction of the travelling not the speed of the travel, stated the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov during the opening today in Belozem of the rail section Skutare – Orizovo. It is part of the “Plovdiv – Bourgas” project.
"Signaling, the unimpeded passage of conflicting intersections, telecommunications and all elements that accompany modern railways are already fact and we see them in operation. By 2023 Plovdiv – Bourgas railway line should be the line that we associate with the concept of European railways”, said also the Minister.
In his words, the section that is being opened today is extremely important for the deployment of probably the most significant railway network between the border with Serbia and the Black Sea. He added that this commitment as well as the development of the links Karnobat – Sindel, Rousse – Kaspichan, Varna – Rousse, etc. are a guarantee for the use of railways as the most modern transport for passengers and cargo. Rossen Jeliazkov affirmed that this policy is not only Bulgarian but also Pan-European, especially in the context of the Green Deal and the transition from analog to digital world.
We have created the necessary prerequisites for the modernization of the rolling stock now too. At the end of this, the beginning of the next week we expect the new locomotives – something which has not happened since the 80s. We have a contract on the modernization of all diesel and electric carriages, on repair of the existing rolling stock and the renewal of the wagons in order to make travelling by rail pleasant, comfortable and safe”, said Minister Jeliazkov.
By renewing the railways we fulfill the main commitment to modernize the country so that it could be a dignified member of the European Union, he added. In his words, this investment is extremely important, because it is interconnected with all system capital investments. He reminded that a contract was signed some days ago on the modernization of Plovdiv railway junction so that the city could both have a beautiful Railway station building and be a concentration for railway traffic. "Not only will the lives of railway passengers be improved, but adjacent infrastructure will be built, such as the approaches to the station and the Concrete Bridge. Residents of cities and smaller settlements such as Belozem will also benefit from the newly built infrastructure. The results assess the work done", said Rosen Jeliazkov.
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The rehabilitated rail section Skutare – Orizovo is part of the Plovdiv – Bourgas project – stage 2. It is 26 km. long. The value of the construction contract amounts to 69 848 308, 66 BGN,VAT excluded.
Range of the object:
o Modernization of a railway and a contact network;
o Modernization of signaling and telecommunications in the section;
o Rehabilitation of technical premises and passenger terminals in the stations of Manole and Belozem and Opalchenets stop.
o Rehabilitation of all artificial facilities of the lower construction (big and small bridge facilities, gutters, drainage ditches, etc.)
o Construction of new and rehabilitation of the existing drainage systems.
