2024-10-02 19:50:27
The reconstruction of the Kalotina checkpoint has been completed
Crossing the border with Serbia significantly after the reconstruction of the Kalotina checkpoint. Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev opened the renovated border crossing on Tuesday.
“The traffic for the last five years has increased enormously, at some points by more than 100%. The points must be considered as a whole to ensure the smooth passage of people and goods. The infrastructure is designed for 2.5 million trucks , but in 2023, 4.5 million passed,” said Glavchev.
And he added that reconstruction is planned at other points such as Malko Tarnovo and Kapitan Andreevo. Bulgaria is so geographically situated that it is a gateway between Asia and Europe, and five trans-European corridors pass through its territory.
The director of the “Customs” Agency, Georgi Dimov, specified that a comprehensive concept for the development of the border points is being developed. Repairs are currently being made at Stanke Lisichkovo, and it is expected to start at Zlatarevo as well. The checkpoints along the border with Turkey will also be reconstructed.
After all planned projects are implemented, normal traffic will be ensured for 30 years and the possibility of control by all border services will be preserved, as our country is committed not only to the security of the country, but also to the European Union, he added Dimov.
The reconstruction of the “Kalotina” checkpoint worth BGN 63.8 million was carried out in two stages in the period 2018-2024. This is the first such large-scale repair of the checkpoint in the last 30 years. The existing freight traffic lanes have been optimized, their number has been increased from 2 to 3. There are now three completely new lanes with scales for checking trucks and sheds for physical and documentary control.
The faster passage of cars is achieved by increasing the number of inspection lanes from 8 to 12 for those entering our country and from 6 to 11 for those leaving. There is a possibility to increase up to 15 in a direction by using part of the constructed tracks for reversibles. There is also one lane each with bus passenger screening terminals, canopies over all lanes, as well as baggage screening halls and car sheds.
The underground and above-ground infrastructure was replaced, a completely new pavement was laid, new buildings were built for the Border Police and a connection with the “Europa” highway.
In 2023, truck traffic through the Kalotina checkpoint increased by 27.3% more than in 2019. For the last 12 months, the number of trucks leaving Bulgaria has increased by 40%.