The first 17-kilometer section of the Highway “Europe” between Dragoman and Slivnitsa is ready. The investment is for BGN 117.3 million, and it is from the national budget. The construction works on the direct route were completed half a year earlier than provided in the contract, and the drivers are already using it.

The modernization of the first-class road I-8 Dragoman – Slivnitsa / from km 15 + 500 to km 32 + 447.20 / started in May last year. A second lane has been built in the section, and the old one has been reconstructed to the highway gauge. The section has two lanes for traffic in each direction and a lane for an emergency stop.

Two road junctions “Slivnitsa 1” and “Slivnitsa 2” have been built, which are equipped with energy-efficient lighting. There are eleven large facilities, which include five underpasses, five overpasses, and a bridge over the Slivnishka River at the 30th km. There are also seven rest areas and emergency stops, and retaining walls.

To protect the biodiversity in the area of the marsh Aldomirovsko Blato, paths for reptiles have been made, which will pass through specially built passages/culverts under the highway. Noise barriers and bird control nets have been installed, and sludge traps will purify surface water from the route in the area on the marsh Aldomirovsko Blato.

With the modernization of the section, the capacity of the road and the traffic safety are increased.

The section is part of the main Trans-European Transport Network. The route is in the direction of London – Budapest – Belgrade – Sofia – Plovdiv – Istanbul – Calcutta and is the shortest road connecting Western Europe with the Middle East. The section Kalotina Border Checkpoint – Sofia provides a connection to the Trans-European Corridor “Orient / Eastern Mediterranean.