Bulgaria has taken a significant step toward strengthening regional rail connectivity after selecting contractors for two major railway infrastructure projects linking the capital to western Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The projects form part of pan-European transport corridor VIII, a strategic route connecting the Adriatic and Black Seas.
The National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC) announced on Monday that it has awarded a 421.3 million levs contract for the renovation of the Sofia–Pernik–Radomir railway section. The winning bidder is a consortium of Bulgarian construction companies Interconnecta and SA.I.E.
Under the project, the existing railway line will be extensively modernised to meet contemporary European standards. By mid-2029, the contractor is expected to complete the construction of a double-track railway designed for speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, significantly reducing travel times in the busy western corridor.
A key feature of the renovation is the complete removal of all level crossings involving road and pedestrian traffic. This measure is intended to improve safety, enhance traffic flow, and align the railway section with EU railway interoperability requirements.
In a separate decision, NRIC selected another Bulgarian consortium, comprising Trace Group Hold and VDH, to construct a new railway stretch from the town of Gyueshevo to the border with North Macedonia. The project is valued at nearly 100 million levs and represents a long-awaited step toward completing the Bulgarian side of the cross-border rail link.
The investment includes the design and construction of the remaining 2.4 kilometres of railway line leading to the border, as well as the reconstruction of tracks and the reception hall at Gyueshevo railway station. According to NRIC, the consortium has until the end of 2028 to finalise the works.
The Gyueshevo project is particularly significant, as it addresses one of the missing links in corridor VIII, which has been discussed for decades as a vital east–west transport route in the Balkans. Once completed, the railway is expected to improve freight and passenger connectivity between Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
In November, Bulgaria and North Macedonia signed an agreement for the joint construction of a 2.4-kilometre cross-border railway tunnel along the same corridor. The tunnel is seen as a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation and a practical step toward closer economic and transport integration.
Bulgarian officials have repeatedly stressed that modern rail infrastructure is essential for boosting regional development, attracting investment, and shifting transport away from roads toward more sustainable options. The newly awarded contracts are expected to be financed through a mix of national funding and European Union support.
With construction timelines now set, the projects mark tangible progress toward turning long-standing regional transport plans into reality, reinforcing Bulgaria’s role as a key transit country in Southeast Europe.