Extension of Sofia Metro Line 2 to be Launched Before End of July

The extension of line 2 of the underground in the Bulgarian capital to the Sofia neighbourhood of Hladilnika will be launched before the end of July.

The initial deadline for launching the section was July 31, but according to Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandakova this can be achieved earlier than scheduled.

On Thursday, Fandakova inspected the progress of construction together with Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski.

The section measures1.3 kilometres in length and covers the distance from James Bourchier metro station to the intersection of Cherni vrah boulevard with Henrik Ibsen boulevard and Srebarna street.

The municipality expects more than 20 000 passengers to use the new section daily, with the same number of people passing through the new Vitosha metro station on a daily basis.

With the new section, Sofia will have forty kilometres of underground lines with 35 metro stations. It is estimated that the new section will save more than 70 tonnes of harmful emissions.

The construction has been completed, with tests currently being performed on the section. The movement of trains without passengers is expected to begin after ten days.

There are some finishing touches to be made on the surface, but since the work is going according to schedule, in reality the section could become operational for citizens before the end of July.

Fandakova reminded that construction of the section, which amounted to BGN 43 M, began with municipal funding in 2014 as the state refused to co-finance the project.

Immediately after the formation of the incumbent government in November 2014, the project was divided in two stages.

The first one was allocated funding under the Transport Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programme period, while the second one was funded by the 2014-2020 programme period.

The mayor was grateful as this has allowed the municipality to redirect resources to the construction of the new third line of the underground.

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