The Bulgarian government has officially launched construction work on long-delayed highway projects, with Regional Development Minister Ivan Shishkov announcing the start of what he called the “forgotten highways” program, beginning with the Ruse-Byala section of the Ruse-Veliko Tarnovo highway corridor.
Shishkov said preparatory work for the route had been completed years earlier, including approved detailed development plans, expropriation conditions, and commissioned technical designs, but construction had not started despite being ready for implementation.
“We are launching the construction of the forgotten highways. The first is Ruse–Makaza. For the Ruse-Byala section, the procedures were prepared three years ago, but the actual construction did not begin,” Shishkov said, adding that he felt frustration over the earlier delays.
He emphasized that the start of physical construction, following building permits, finalized projects, and selected contractors, represents the most important stage of infrastructure delivery. According to him, the focus of the current administration is to ensure that long-stalled transport projects are finally executed.
“The era of political ribbon-cutting is over. What matters is real connectivity and highways in Bulgaria. That is why, in the first month of the ‘Progressive Bulgaria’ government, we are starting all forgotten highways after the documentation and permits are in place,” he stated.
