Bulgaria May Launch Toll Roads System in 2017

Domestic | December 8, 2014, Monday // 14:01|  views

Bulgaria's Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova, photo by BGNES

Bulgaria may introduce a system of toll roads in 2017, according to Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova.

Pavlova explained Monday that toll collection would be based on GPS, adding that the optimistic scenario envisaged its launch in 2017.

Lazar Lazarov, Chair of the Management Board of the Road Infrastructure Agency, informed that the system would initially apply to freight vehicles only and the other vehicles would be included in stages, the last batch being that of passenger cars.

Lazarov, as cited by investor.bg, made clear that there would be hefty fines in the case of heavy trucks leaving the route set by the toll system, adding that this type of vehicles accounted for the gravest damage to third and fourth class roads.

Pavlova pointed out that the Regional Development Ministry intended to choose a consultant for the project in 2015 and start its deployment in 2016 so that the system was fully operational in 2017.

She announced that the consultant was to specify which roads could be included in the system.

Pavlova said that Bulgaria could not set up a system of toll roads at present because it could not be applied on roads and highways which had been built with EU funding.

She emphasized that the improvement of road infrastructure and the creation of safe driving conditions was a key priority for the Regional Development Ministry.

She also informed that reform in the water sector and the optimization of the management of water resources and infrastructure was also a priority task, the aim being to curb water loss and provide all Bulgarian citizens with access to drinking water.

Pavlova will have three deputies - Denitsa Nikolova, who will be in charge of EU funds, Ivan Asparuhov, who will be in charge of regional policy, and Nikolay Nankov, who will be in charge of spatial planning and management of state property.

Pavlova will also have four advisers, including Evgeni Chachev, Lazarina Stoichkova, Desislava Yordanova, and Radoslav Rusev.

The Ministry’s policy on peripheral regions and poor regions will be assigned to Deputy Minister Ivan Asparuhov, former Mayor of the northwestern town of Mezdra.

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Tags: Lilyana Pavlova, Regional Development Minister, toll road system, Regional Development Ministry

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