Private lands will be expropriated for implementation of road infrastructural projects, according to a recent government decision, Cabinet's PR officers said in a statement with BTA news agency.
These projects include: reconstruction and electrification of the Plovdiv-Svilengrad railway line, leading to the Greek and Turkish borders and gearing the road for a maximum speed of 160 km/h and an overhaul of the second-class road Simitli-Gradevo-Predela-Razlog.
The modernisation of Plovdiv-Svilengrad railway line has required expropriation of plots in Simeonovgrad, Lyubimets and Haskovo municipalities. The owners will receive compensations totalling 457 467 leva, 193 261 leva of which will be for lands in Simeonovgrad municipality, 230 420 leva - for plots in Lyubimets and 33 786 leva - for ones in Haskovo.
The project is one of Bulgaria's largest infrastructural projects and will ensure the main railway connection between Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Near East countries. The line is a part of number Four and Nine Transeuropean Corridors.
The revamp of a 36 km stretch of the second-class road Simitli-Gradevo-Predela-Razlog will necessitate the expropriation of private properties in Simitli and Razlog municipalities in Blagoevgrad region. Landowners' indemnifications are estimated at 564 131 leva. Traffic load of this highway has been constantly expanding due to transit carriages, prompted by the opening of the new cross-border check-point at Ilinden. After the extension of the road, its width will grow to 10.5 m and the projected maximum speed will reach 60 km/h.
(Bulgarian Telegraph Agency)
