The Republic of North Macedonia (RCM) intends to stop the construction of a railway line to Bulgaria within the pan-European transport corridor 8, reports "Plus Info", quoted by News.bg.
Among the reasons for the decision is that there are no guarantees that Bulgaria will build its part of the route from Corridor 8. In addition, trains will be able to travel along it at up to 60 km per hour due to the mountainous terrain. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Alexander Nikoloski proposes that the money from the project loans be redirected to the modernization of the existing railway line through Skopje, part of Corridor 10. The goal is to make it high-speed.
Nikoloski announced that he would discuss the idea with creditors. It is also shared by the Prime Minister of the RSM, Hristiyan Mitskoski, as it became clear from his statement to "Thelma" TV.
According to Alexander Nikolski, the construction of the 24-kilometer railway section from Kriva Palanka to the border with Bulgaria will be expensive and difficult. In addition, in Kriva Palanka, 20 houses must be demolished and 20 families left homeless. Also, 22 tunnels should be built in 4 years. According to Nikolski, the task is unrealistic and no company wants to commit to the construction. He also commented that it is not known whether Bulgaria will connect the section in the RSM with its part of the railway and whether it intends to build it.
Alexander Nikoloski also pointed out that 560 million euros are needed for the construction of the route, which makes it more expensive than the construction of a high-speed railway.