The planned construction of the Rila highway from the Gueshevo border checkpoint to Dupnitsa will cost around 1.5 billion euros, according to preliminary estimates, the Bulgarian National Radio reported.
The highway can provide a connection with the Struma highway near Dupnitsa, Trakia near Ihtiman and Hemus near Svoge. The project for the highway dates back to 1978, but for the moment it has not reached its realization. Construction will not begin before 2027.
The importance of the "Rila" motorway from a strategic and defense perspective was noted at a meeting at the Kyustendil regional governor's office with experts, deputies and mayors of municipalities through whose territory the route will pass.
"Corridor No. 8 and the "Rila" motorway are not only of economic importance, they are also of defense importance. This is also of great importance for demonstrating readiness to our international partners," commented expert Martin Yanev.
"Corridor No. 8 will be implemented when the Republic of North Macedonia is also part of the European Union, as it is part of NATO. But for this, all international requirements and our agreements that we have between us must be respected," believes the Chairman of the Transport Committee in the National Assembly, Kiril Dobrev.