The construction of a highway from Asenovgrad to Smolyan and the improvement of transport accessibility of settlements in the Rhodope region were the focus of the working meeting of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazyk with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Regional Policy, Public Works and Local Self-Government Nikolay Nankov and the MPs from Smolyan Krasimir Sabev and Khalil Letifov.
The working meeting was also attended by the Mayor of Smolyan Nikolay Melemov, the mayors of the settlements in the region, the Regional Governor of Smolyan Zahari Sirakov, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the RIA Yordan Valchev.
The government was committed to assisting in the implementation of the key road infrastructure for the region. A technical project has currently been prepared and the award procedures will start in 2026, with the goal being to complete the partial expansion of the Asenovgrad - Smolyan road with a third lane as soon as possible, including the Chepelare bypass. In parallel, a technical project is being prepared and all necessary procedures are being prepared for an additional increase in the dimensions, so that the entire road can be expanded to a four-lane, expressway.
During the conversation, the potential for development of the region by attracting more investments and creating permanent jobs was also emphasized. The importance of transport connectivity for improving the conditions for doing business was emphasized.