PROJECT Hemus motorway Funding: National (Bulgaria) Duration: Jan 1992 - Dec 2020 Status: Complete Background & policy context: The route of the "Hemus" highway is part of the European road network connection to Corridor IV west to Corridor IX near Veliko Tarnovo. The realization of the highway will allow for connection of eastern and western parts of Bulgaria with the trans-European network. "Hemus" highway is seen as a strategic project, under whose impact is expected to accelerate the process of economic and social cohesion at regional level. Its construction will affect regional economies of the three planning regions of Bulgaria - North-West, North-Central and North-East, with a favourable impact on the business and creating new jobs. The total population that will benefit from improved infrastructure is approximately 2.9 million. People over an area of ​almost 44 percent of the country. "Hemus" highway will connect the capital of the country - Sofia with the Bulgarian sea capital - Varna as duplicate class roads E70 from Varna to Shumen, E772 from Shumen to Jablanica Jablanica and E83 from Sofia. The expected length of the highway is about 420 km. Currently in operation are the sections "junction" Yana "-okolovrasten road Sofia - Jablanica" and ". Belokopitovo - Shumen - Varna "with a total length of about 170 km. "Hemus" highway will be east-west link in northern Bulgaria and Varna port, a key location for trade with Ukraine, Russia and Turkey. Objectives: Missing sections of the 'Hemus' highway starts from the town. Jablanica, Lovech region, west and ends at p. Belokopitovo, Shumen district, east and has a length of about 252 km. It is intended to connect the already built sections in the west and the east end. The route of the motorway passes through the 6 districts - Pleven, Lovech, Veliko Tarnovo, Targovishte, Razgrad and Shumen and in 18 municipalities within the counties. The project is conditionally divided into 8 sections: Section 1 of Jablanica Road III-307 / III-305; Section 2 of the Road III-307 / III-305 to road II-35; Section 3 of the Road II-35 Road III-301 / Alexandrovo; Section 4 of the Road III-301 / Alexandrovo Road III-303 / Pavlikem; Section 5 of the Road III-303 / Pavlikem Road E85; Section 6 of the road E85 to road II-51; Section 7 of the Road II-51 Road II-49; Section 8 of the Road II-49 to "Hemus" highway (A-2) Belokopitovo. The design of the eight section is grouped into three priority stages: Stage 1 - includes sections 1 and 2, starting from the relationship of the existing part of the highway after the town. Jablanica to the intersection with road II-35 (Nikopol - Pleven - Lovech - Troyan - Karnare); its length is about 59 km; Stage 2 - includes sections 3, 4 and 5, starting after the junction with road II-35 to intersection with road I-5 (Rousse - Kardzhali - Horseshoe); its length is about 85 km; Stage 3 - includes sections 6, 7 and 8, starting after the junction with the road I-5 and ends at the eastern part of the 'Hemus' highway, which is under construction; its length is about 108 km. Methodology: For the project identified the following activities for the preparation of the track for completion: Preparation of feasibility studies to complete the "Hemus" highway. The aim of the research is all the proposed variants over the years to justify a single preferred option. As of. May 2014 the activity is completed. Conceptualization to complete the 'Hemus' highway on priority etapi.Na this stage is developing the chosen option, involving detailed transverse and longitudinal sections, etc., Prepared quantity and detailed estimate of construction costs. As a result of this phase should be confirmed chosen design solution, its type and location. The level of detail should be such as to ensure that the possibility of applying the follow legal procedures for approval, including the requirements for environmental protection, fire and emergency safety. The work on conceptual designs for the three stages are assigned respectively in the month. April 2014 Stage 1 in m. July 2014 Stage 2 and Stage 3 in m. In November 2014 in three lots. Preparation of the EIA report and DOSV to complete the highway "Hemus" (Jablanica-Belokopitovo). After completion of the feasibility study is tasked with developing a report on EIA and DOSV for the entire route of the project. In m. July 2015 was issued EIA Decision for the entire route to complete "Hemus" highway. Formulated measures to reduce the harmful effects of the next phase will be included in the scope of work of the contractors for additional design and construction. Performing preliminary archaeological studies - search for archaeological sites to complete the "Hemus" highway. The purpose of the preliminary studies is to determine the presence or absence of archaeological and other cultural values ​in the area of ​the project route of the motorway, the result of which will be the basis for planning archaeological excavations before starting the construction phase. Parent Programmes: OPT - Operational Programme on Transport 2007 - 2013 Institute type: Public institution Institute name: Ministry of transport, information technology and communications Funding type: Public (national/regional/local) Other funding sources: Operational Programme "Transport" 2007-2013 Partners: Organisation: National Company "Strategic Infrastructure Projects" Address: bul. "Tsar Boris III" 215, fl. 9 Zipcode: 1618 City: Sofia Contact country: Bulgaria Organisation Website: National Company "Strategic Infrastructure Projects" STRIA Roadmaps: Infrastructure Transport mode: Road transport Transport sectors: Passenger transport Transport policies: Deployment planning/Financing/Market roll-out.