Major Overhaul of Mădrevo to Gălăbovo Road to Begin Soon with 20 Million Lev Budget

The long-awaited repair of the 15.7km third-class road from Mădrevo to Gălăbovo in Bulgaria is set to commence within two weeks, as announced by Eng. Yordan Vâlchev, Chairman of the Managing Board of the Road Infrastructure Agency (API). The project has a budget of nearly 20 million lev.

Constructed in 1976, the road has not undergone substantial repairs in nearly five decades. Over the years, heavy traffic has significantly deteriorated the pavement. Despite ongoing maintenance and partial patching by the Road Infrastructure Agency, a major overhaul is now deemed necessary.

The repair of this road is vital for the daily lives of thousands of people, including workers and citizens, and will have a significant impact on the local economy. If the road is not repaired, it could lead to further deterioration, accidents, and disruptions to daily life.

The road serves as a vital artery for over 1,000 cars, 30 buses, and thousands of workers and citizens daily. Freight traffic from nearby enterprises further contributes to the wear and tear. The regional governor of Stara Zagora, Radeva, mentioned that the construction permit would be issued in a few days.

The urgency of the repair has been underscored by recent protests. Demonstrators closed a main road near Galabovo, demanding a safer and more reliable road. The protest was in response to promises by API to begin the overhaul in the first quarter of 2024. Eng. Tencho Kairyakov, chairman of the IC 'Obruchishte forever,' highlighted the dire condition of the road, stating, 'The purpose of the protest actions is to start the repair of the republican road ІІІІ-5504... which is in a terrible condition, holes have been dug all over the lane, bridge facilities have been compromised.'

Stanimir Georgiev, chairman of the Association 'Miners and energy workers together,' urged the local community to support the initiative, emphasizing the road's significance for those working in Complex 'Maritsa Iztok.' 'I urge anyone who has the opportunity to attend! Let's not forget that the road is used by ourselves, working in Complex 'Maritsa Iztok,'' he said.

In the interim, the road maintenance company has been tasked with patching the largest deformations and conducting local repairs, with a budget of approximately BGN 136 thousand. The deadline for these temporary fixes is mid-July.

Efforts are also underway to secure European funding under the 'Regional Development' operational program 2021-2027 to support the major repair. This funding would provide a significant boost to the project's scope and execution.

The local community and residents remain hopeful that the long-overdue overhaul will bring much-needed improvements to the road's safety and functionality.

Key Takeaways

• Repair of 15.7km Mădrevo-Gălăbovo road in Bulgaria to start within 2 weeks.
• Project budget: nearly 20 million lev; road hasn't been repaired since 1976.
• Road serves 1,000+ cars, 30 buses, and thousands of workers/citizens daily.
• Protests urged API to begin overhaul; temporary fixes to be done by mid-July.
• European funding sought under Regional Development program 2021-2027.