This is a high-profile infrastructure project for Bulgaria as the Struma Motorway is Bulgaria's most important road. This tunnel is scheduled to be the longest in Bulgaria, adding an important link to the road network.

The current IP was signed in 2017. TI-Bulgaria has monitored the tender process and award and is currently monitoring the contract implementation phase. TI-Bulgaria signed a prior Cooperation Agreement in 2015 to monitor the same tender, but the procurement agency terminated that tender process due to changes in the Bulgarian Procurement Law.

The tender and ongoing implementation have experienced some delays due to challenges to the tender process. TI-Bulgaria's monitoring reports have highlighted various irregularities, made various recommendations to improve the process and pushed the contracting authority for greater transparency.

This IP is part of the “Integrity Pacts Programme – Safeguarding EU Funds” project funded by the European Commission.

Additional information

• Procurement authority: Road Infrastructure Agency
• Monitor: Transparency International Bulgaria
• Language: Bulgarian
• Start year: 2015
• End year: 2021
• Tender value: Approx. EUR 119.5 million