Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
The tunnel is part of one of the most important transport lines in the country
Last Thursday, Minister of Transport Georgi Todorov announced the beginning of construction on the longest two-pipe railway tunnel on the Balkan peninsula and in Bulgaria. The tunnel will be 6.8 kilometres long, costing around 300 million euros, and is part of the broader modernisation of the line from the capital of Sofia to the Black Sea, European Corridor No. 8.
The modernisation of the Trakia railway line connecting Sofia with Burgas has been underway for the past 15 years and is set to be completed in 2030. This is one of the most important transport lines in the country as it runs from East to West and is part of the TEN-T EU transport network.
It connects Sofia with Istanbul and the port city of Burgas on the Black Sea, with the transportation lane starting as far away as Hamburg and Bremen. This makes it one of the most important routes between Central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The 20 kilometre stretch between Elin Pelin and Vakarel is one of the most difficult parts of the whole track and the tunnel will end up soaking a large part of the investment. At the same time, the new track will be able to support speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour for passenger transport and 120 for freight, greatly reducing travel time and allowing for more traffic on the line.
Minister Georgi Todorov was quoted in a press release, saying: "The technical and operational challenges for the builder are extremely great, as this lot is the most difficult of the whole section.”
The funds have been secured through the EU Operational Programme “Transport and transport infrastructure”.
If you want to keep up with how European cities and regions are changing, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU, national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality.
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital