MANAGING AUTHORITY OF THE EUROPEAN TERRITORIAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME - 2007-2013

ST PROTOCOL NUMBER: 7917/1 CALL

JOINT TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT OF THE EUROPEAN TERRITORIAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME GREECE -BULGARIA 2007-2013

Cross-border transport CONNECTIONs and PROJECT TITLE/PROJECT communications - the basis for improving quality of life ACRONYM in border areas/CONNECTION PRIORITY AXIS 2. Accessibility AREA OF INTERVENTION 2.1 Development of the road & railway network INITIAL PROJECT BUDGET 417.851,20 (€) District BUDGET (€) 190.484.20 LEAD PARTNER Administration

Region of East BUDGET (€) 120.367.00 PROJECT PARTNER 2 Macedonia and Thrace 310.851,20 FINAL PROJECT BUDGET (€)

PROJECT DURATION 18 (IN MONTHS)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

The project aims at coordinating the initiatives in the field of road and railway transport connections in the cross-border regions. It aims to support a balanced and viable economic growth in the cross-border region in district Smolyan and prefecture by creating appropriate conditions for the development of balanced and sustainable transport networks. OBJECTIVES-EXPECTED OUTPUTS-EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT Objectives: The specific objectives of the project are: 1) To create favourable conditions for improved cross-border cooperation and economic growth; 2) To stimulate the development of cross-border cooperation and partnership for developing the transport network in the cross-border areas; 3) To achieve an efficient organization and coordination of transportation processes and networks 4) To develop joint systems and approaches for the creation of new cross-border route schemes of public transport and joint billing systems; 5) Promoting the cross-border cooperation and people communication in the cross-border areas and achievement of a balanced, long term economic growth in the cross-border region. Expected Outputs: ‐ 4 studies and analysis actions in the field of transport - analysis of current traffic demand and analysis of existing transport infrastructure, traffic demand forecast and needs ‐ assessment, analysis of opportunities for improvement and assessment of technical- economical feasibility, study and assessment of the alternative for development of cross-border public transport in the cross-border area; ‐ One developed Implementation program which includes action plan, sources of financing of proposed measures, funding of identified priority projects and key indicators for monitoring the implementation of the Strategy; ‐ An elaborated strategy for sustainable development of transport infrastructure in the cross-border region; ‐ An established joint information terminal system in the cross-border region which will contribute to development of effective common cross-border transport approaches and joint public transport routes. Expected Results: As a result of the implementation of the project efficient and effective methods and approaches for sustainable development of transport networks will be created and in particular for the development of a secondary transport road network, adequate to the existing and forecasted traffic demand of passengers and freight transports in compliance to the European Regional and Transport policies and standards. This will connect the municipalities in the Smolyan district with the municipalities in the region of Xanthi. Through delivered specific equipment – information terminal stations (kiosks) and established common software system, it will be supported the sustainable development of cross-border transport communications and networks. The people in the cross-border regions will benefit from the new and improved transport networks and the facilitated mobility of people and goods and improved accessibility will promote mitigating the disparities. LOCATION OF ACTIVITIES The project will be implemented in the cross-border region: Bulgaria, the District of Smolyan, Municipalities of Smolyan, Devin, Rudozem, and Greece, the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace. The project activities include territories in both sides where will be developed pilot routes timetables: Smolyan-Rudozem-Xanthi-Kavala Smolyan-Zlatograd-Xanthi-Kavala Smolyan--Xanthi-Kavala