“Today I signed a decision giving the green light for the completion of the final section of the Southwestern arc of the Sofia Ring Road,” announced the Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova at a briefing following the government meeting.

This decision concludes the environmental permitting process and allows the project to move on to the next stage of implementation. “The completion of the Sofia Ring Road (SRR) was one of the key priorities in our campaign platform. After years without any real progress on key administrative procedures, we have finally reached the point where the process is complete,” explained Minister Karamfilova. She noted that the project began more than 20 years ago and to date two environmental impact assessment procedures had expired without a final decision.

“From here on, accelerated design work will begin so that the project can be completed first, followed by the construction of the route itself,” stated Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Shishkov. He thanked the team at the Ministry of Environment and Water for their excellent coordination and emphasized that the institutions had worked in close cooperation on the project. He also noted that the section is of key importance not only for Sofia but also for the development of transportation connectivity throughout the country.

The project involves the reconstruction and expansion of the section from the intersection of the ring road with Buxton Boulevard to the junction with the Struma Expressway. Based on the environmental assessment conducted, it was determined that the implementation of the investment proposal is unlikely to have a significant negative impact on natural habitats, populations, and habitats of species subject to protection in protected areas. The impact of construction will be local, short-term, and insignificant, while the benefits for citizens and nature are significant.

The implementation of such strategic projects requires consistency, coordination among institutions, and a clear commitment to the public interest. The southwestern arc of the Sofia Ring Road is among the most significant infrastructure projects for the capital; the completion of the final section will ensure an uninterrupted transportation link between the main road corridors, improve the capacity of the road network, reduce traffic congestion and harmful emissions, enhance road safety, and provide more efficient connectivity between Sofia, the Struma Highway, and the main national and international transportation corridors.

In 2000, the concept for the comprehensive modernization of the Sofia Ring Road (SOP) as an urban expressway with highway/expressway-type dimensions was launched. Initial priority was given to the eastern and northern sections, while the western section was placed on hold due to complex land acquisition procedures and the high cost of implementation.

The comprehensive reconstruction and expansion of the Sofia Ring Road in the section from “Bulgaria” Boulevard to the junction with the “Struma” Motorway is being carried out in accordance with commitments made by the Sofia Municipality and the Road Infrastructure Agency (API) under a tripartite agreement signed in 2006 between the Regional Governor of Sofia City, the Mayor of the Sofia Municipality, and the Executive Director of API.

Between 2007 and 2012, master plans and transportation schemes were developed for the phased construction of the Western Arc of the Sofia Ring Road, including the section connecting to the Struma Motorway.

On July 19, 2011, the Sofia Municipality, in its capacity as the contracting authority for the Investment Proposal (pursuant to the annex dated February 28, 2011, to the tripartite agreement of February 2006), submitted a Notice of Investment Proposal titled “Expansion and Reconstruction of the Sofia Ring Road from km 50+560 to km 58+699 and Reconstruction of Existing Infrastructure Facilities” to the Ministry of Environment and Water. Following the completion of the legally prescribed procedure, Decision No. 3-PR/2012 of the Minister of Environment and Water determined that no environmental impact assessment would be conducted for the investment proposal.

In 2013, by Decision No. 250 of April 25, 2013, of the Council of Ministers, the section of the SOP was designated a national project and a project of national significance. The decision paved the way for accelerating the procedures for land acquisition and infrastructure design.

Between 2018 and 2020, following a prolonged delay in implementation, work began on updating the project preparation and developing detailed zoning plans (DZP) for the route.

Due to changes in the project parameters and the expiration of the legally established validity period, Decision No. 3-PR/2012 of the Minister of Environment and Water lost its legal effect.

On May 21, 2018, a new notification was submitted by the contracting authority, the Sofia Municipality, in connection with which the Ministry of Environment and Water issued Decision No. 9-PR/2018 of the Minister of Environment and Water regarding the investment proposal: “Reconstruction and Expansion of the Sofia Ring Road in the section from km 50+520 to km 58+581.5,” with the determination that “no EIA is required.”

In 2021, plans were made to develop a Detailed Urban Plan (DUP) and prepare the construction procedures for the section between the “Struma” Motorway and “Tsar Boris III” Boulevard.

Due to failure to implement the project within the statutory timeframe, Decision No. 9-PR/2018 also lost its legal effect.

On October 3, 2024, the Road Infrastructure Agency, in its capacity as the contracting authority for the investment proposal (pursuant to Annex No. SOA21-DG56 of April 21, 2021, to the tripartite agreement of February 2006), submitted a new notification of an investment proposal to the Ministry of Environment and Water ( ): “Reconstruction and Expansion of the Sofia Ring Road (SOP) from km 50+500 (near the intersection with Buxton Blvd.) to km 58+602 (Struma Motorway).”