• Line 3 construction works will be launched in 2015
• Extensions of the existing lines are 70% finalized
• Line to International Airport will be put into operation in April
The number of people living in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia is increasing determining a series of challenges, especially regarding mobility. Due to the limited capacity of the road network traffic and to the increase in the daily traffic intensity, the authorities identified the best solution: the development of the metro network. Also, mobility policies are consolidated around the “sustainable transport” objective which encourages the development of the metro system.
At present, the metro network is formed of two railways, and, according to the general development scheme, the network will be formed of three diameters with extensions to peripheral areas. The total length of these extensions will have 65 km with 63 stations ensuring the transport of 1.2 million passengers/day.
The first diameter, “Obelya RD – Lyulin RD – Centre – Mladost RD – Druzhba RD –Sofia Airport” will have 29 km of railway and 23 stations, the second, “Lozenets RD – Centre – Ilientsi quarter”, will have 17 km and 17 stations and the third, “Knyazhevo quarter– Centre- Poduyane RD – V. Levski RD”, will have 19 km and 23 stations. The three diameters will intersect in a triangle in the city centre, so that each section of the route could be accessed through a single change of line.
For the implementation of the network development strategy, the mayor of the city has recently announced that a new construction programme would be initiated in 2014 which includes the metro network as one of the important projects.
“In 2015, we have a serious plan for the implementation of construction projects in Sofia. One of the major projects is the development of the metro. With a financing of EUR 400 Million for 2014-2020, an amount dedicated to the extensions of the network, we want to launch the construction of the third metro line. Bulgaria is decided to obtain funds for the development of the metro network”, declared Yordanka Fandakova.
Funds are part of the financing package worth EUR 2 Billion obtained by the Bulgarian Government in December 2014.
Metro line 3 will connect the south-west to the east of the city. The first section will have 7 km and will ensure the connection of the districts from KrasnoSelo to the city centre. It will significantly decongest the most crowded boulevards of Sofia.
According to the general network development scheme, Line 3 will provide connection between Knyazhevo District, the city centre and Levski District and will have a total length of 19 km and 23 stations.
Apart from this project, the authorities of the capital launched the construction works for the extension of Line 2 (or Blue Line) with 1.3 km, a project estimated at EUR 17 Million. The new section would be put into operation in June 2016 and, according to estimates, will attract an additional number of 28,000 passengers.
Another extension refers to Line 1 (or the Red Line) to connect the north-west area with Sofia International Airport and Business Park (in the south-east). The new section will be put in operation in April 2015.
“These extensions are 70% finalised and will bring an additional number of 90,000 passengers”, declared the mayor of the city.
by Pamela Luică
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