Aleksandar Nikoloski announces tender for express road from Radovish to Bulgarian border
Nikoloski: tender open for design house; studies expected in 6–9 months, bids due October 8
A procedure has been opened to select a design firm that will prepare full documentation for an express road linking Radovish with the border to Bulgaria, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski announced today.
Route, timetable and funding
Nikoloski said the planned route runs from Radovish via Strumica and Novo Selo to the Bulgarian border and that the government has initiated a tender to choose the company that will produce the pre‑project documentation, environmental and social studies, and a feasibility study.
“Our idea is to build an express road that will go from Radovish via Strumica, Novo Selo, pa sve do granica so Bugarska i na toj način da imamo ušte edno povržuvanje koješto e autopatsko ili so ekspresen pat so Republika Bugarska,” Nikoloski said, translating the route and the aim of establishing a new high‑capacity connection with Bulgaria.
He added that bids for the design company must be submitted by October 8, after which a contractor is expected to be selected.
“In the space of 6 to 9 months the studies should be completed and after that we will go to tendering. What I want to say is that we will proceed with own funds from the Public Enterprise for State Roads. The Public Enterprise for State Roads is in good condition, it has good inflows of funds and we will be able to build this project. So, let it not be promised, but if everything goes well and we have a good selection procedure, now first for a consulting firm, and after that for a contractor, I expect that by autumn we will already start construction activities on the ground, which, as I said, will mean a lot. And to note that we will not only go to Strumica, but we will go to the border with Bulgaria,” Nikoloski said.
The minister stressed the state enterprise will finance the initial stages and signalled a relatively tight schedule for completing studies before launching procurement for construction.
Photo: Ministerstvo za transport i vrski
