Minister Disputes Claims of Billion-Euro Price Tag for Sofia Ring Road Completion
The 2026 budget allocates only €17 million for the design phase of the Southern Arc of Sofia’s Metropolitan Ring Road, with claims of a €1 billion price tag dismissed as “manipulation” and “demagoguery” by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.
Sofia, Bulgaria – A heated debate over the funding for the completion of the Southern Arc of the Metropolitan Ring Road has erupted, with the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Ivanov, vehemently refuting claims of a €1 billion project cost. Addressing the National Assembly during discussions of the 2026 draft budget, the minister stated that the figure circulating is a deliberate misrepresentation.
The minister clarified that the €1 billion estimate, if realized at all, is projected for the period of 2027-2028 and contingent upon parliamentary approval. Currently, the 2026 budget provides a mere €17 million, specifically earmarked for the design phase of the project.
According to a statement from the ministry, the Road Infrastructure Agency (API) is collaborating with the Metropolitan Municipality on a conceptual project for the 8-kilometer route, following an agreement signed last month. “The final and real price of the site, which is the most complicated to implement in the country, will become clear after the project is prepared and the contractor is selected through a public procurement for the most economically advantageous offer,” a senior official stated. “Therefore, we urge against manipulating citizens with premature and inflated figures.”
The upcoming section, connecting “Ralevitsa” street to the AM “Struma” highway, presents significant engineering challenges. The route will traverse a densely populated area, a narrow existing road, and necessitate complex solutions including the construction of a tunnel and overpass between the “Buxton” and “Ovcha Kupel” quarters. Furthermore, the road will cross multiple rivers, requiring a complex dam crossing, and span several boulevards, demanding the construction of new access connections to accommodate growing traffic.
These complex elements – tunnels, overpasses, and extensive infrastructure – contribute to the project’s anticipated high cost. Beyond these major components, the completion project also includes four smaller facilities and infrastructure to support access to the future National Children’s Hospital. “You yourself understand how complex this object is,” the minister reportedly said, suggesting that critics should research the cost of even a single kilometer of asphalt road with accompanying infrastructure.
The minister directly challenged opposition figures, accusing them of attempting to obstruct infrastructure improvements and access to vital facilities like the children’s hospital. “If you are making all the statements because you are trying to stop Sofians and guests of the capital from having normal infrastructure… I understand that, but I don’t understand you suddenly entering the field of populism,” the minister stated. He called on critics to identify the specific budgetary allocation for the purported €2 billion ring road funding.
Minister Ivanov emphasized that the 2026 budget for the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRRD) surpasses those of previous administrations. He attributed the current budget demands to delays and unfulfilled investments over the past four years, asserting that the current government is addressing projects initiated but left incomplete by previous leadership.
The government is facing significant financial burdens stemming from prior commitments. Unpaid project assignments, indexed according to a methodology established by the previous government, are now requiring substantial payments – approximately BGN 200 million this year and EUR 120 million projected for next year – to compensate builders for completed work. Additionally, outstanding debts total BGN 2 billion.
Despite these challenges, the government has reported progress, rehabilitating 150 km of highways and hundreds of kilometers of roads this year, with new highway sections also opened to traffic. “Everyone knows that any delay in construction comes back as a more expensive and difficult commitment,” the minister cautioned, referencing the AM “Hemus” highway as an example where timely investment could have avoided subsequent cost increases.
The minister also acknowledged past failures in road maintenance, citing a recent tragedy as a consequence of inadequate infrastructure and safety measures. “My will is to have normal roads, which are a duty of the state, and not a luxury for citizens,” he stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving Bulgaria’s road network.
