Bulgaria: Plovdiv Rail Junction 85% Complete, Eyes June 2026 Finish

Bulgaria’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadjov, has announced that the Plovdiv rail junction, a critical infrastructure project valued at over BGN 298 million (EUR 144.2 million), is 85% complete and on track for finalisation in June 2026. This extensive modernisation effort, co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the state budget, is set to transform rail operations and urban connectivity in Plovdiv, aligning the junction with stringent European standards.

Strategic Impact

Minister Karadjov highlighted the Plovdiv rail junction as “one of the most complex and strategic projects in Bulgaria’s railway sector,” emphasizing its crucial role as a high-volume intersection handling over 100 trains daily. The project’s completion will equip Plovdiv with state-of-the-art infrastructure that adheres to European safety and interoperability benchmarks, significantly enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the national rail network. This upgrade is integral to Bulgaria’s broader strategy for modernising its transport corridors and integrating more seamlessly with the European railway system.

Underpass Unlocks Urban Connectivity

A cornerstone of the Plovdiv rail junction project is the development of an 800-metre-long, two-lane road tunnel beneath Plovdiv Central Station. Approximately 580 metres of this underpass are enclosed. This ambitious engineering feat, described by Minister Karadjov as resolving a “problem that has persisted for more than 50 years,” will provide a direct, vital link between the northern and southern districts of Plovdiv. Beyond its primary function, the underpass will streamline access to key urban amenities including the South and Rodopi bus stations, Spartak Stadium, and surrounding commercial and administrative centres, fundamentally reshaping urban mobility in the city.

Comprehensive Modernisation Underway

The overarching project encompasses a wide array of infrastructural improvements. Beyond the central underpass, this includes the comprehensive modernisation of existing tracks and the catenary system, the implementation of advanced signalling and telecommunications networks, and the construction of new platforms and canopies. Significant attention has also been paid to accessibility and passenger comfort, with provisions for persons with reduced mobility, pedestrian underpasses and overpasses, effective noise-protection installations, and a robust modern drainage system integrated into the design.

Contractual Progress and Key Milestones

The Plovdiv rail junction development is being executed under two primary contracts. The first contract, focusing on the modernisation of the Plovdiv – Krumovo and Plovdiv – Skutare sections, including Plovdiv Marshalling Yard, Krumovo, and Skutare stations, has achieved 83% completion. The second contract, which covers the modernisation of Plovdiv Station and the construction of the crucial transport underpass, is nearing its final stages at 85% completion. Furthermore, the reconstruction of the Concrete Bridge, a BGN 5 million (EUR 2.4 million) undertaking, has been successfully completed, with traffic fully restored since December 2024. This restored bridge now offers two parallel connections across the railway zone, a crucial enhancement for traffic flow.