PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OF SOFIA RAILWAY JUNCTION: SOFIA –VOLUYAK RAILWAY SECTION
FINANCED UNDER CEF GRANT AGREEMENT № INEA / CEF / TRAN / M2014 / 1048666
By Decision of European Commission - Directorate General for Mobility and Transport and Innovation & Networks Executive Agency (INEA), in July 2015 the project for modernization of Sofia-Voluyak railway section - part of the development of Sofia railway junction and part of Sofia - Kalotina railway line, was approved for funding under CEF.
On 24.11.2015 the grant agreement has been signed and entered into force.
Total cost of the project is 104 211 047 EUR.
Sources of funding:
Grant from EU- CEF Transport co-financing: 76 074 064 EUR
State budget: 13 297 326 EUR
Beneficiary’s own funds: 14 839 656 EUR
Currently the technical design and the spatial development plan for Sofia –Voluqk are under preparation. It is foreseen the procedure for selection of contractor for construction works to start by the end of 2016. Planned activities include the construction of a new third track between Voluyak Station and Sofia Central Railway Station, as well the upgrading of the existing track development of the two stations. Construction of a new railway station Obelya that will provide connection with the underground, is also foreseen.
The project objectives are to increase the operational speed to 160 km/h for the passenger rail transport and to 120 km/h for the freight rail transport; to increase the interoperability of the proposed line and respectively along the Orient/East-Med Corridor; to improve safety along the proposed railway route by removing level crossings and intersections or replacing them by grade separate ones; to help in gases reduction by making the railway transport more attractive.
On January 28, 2016 a kick off meeting was held with Mr. Antonio Garcia – Suarez, Project Manager to INEA, EC, during which the Project Implementation Unit members and NRIC management team responsible for CEF projects have been introduced. Progress of Sofia –Voluyak and Sofia - Elin Pelin projects was presented. Common rules for payment and reporting, time schedule, recommendations and draft action plans for the next month by projects have been discussed as well.
