The overall renewal of the infrastructure in Sofia is estimated to cost some EUR 4 billion. The upgrade includes the underground and aboveground repair of the streets, as well as the repair of roads, car parks and water and gas supply networks, Sofia's chief architect Petar Dikov told the Pari daily.

All the deals that were sealed in the past to the detriment of the Sofia citizens, could have now provided us with a better living comfort, Dikov added. Infrastructure is Sofia's biggest problem at present but it seems as if the least of efforts are being put into solving this problem, Dikov went on to say. The danger of traffic jams becoming part of every day life and gridlocking the city is looming larger, Dikov explained. The lack of money is used simply as an excuse, for this type of activity is funded either from the municipal or the state budget. By constantly complaining about the lack of funding, we are simply reconciling with the problem, Dikov said.

Sofia municipality organised two tenders recently generating millions of Bulgarian leva in profit from the procedures, which proves that funding can be found.
The period for the renovation of Sofia depends on the regulations and the efficiency of the administration. The time wasted so far will not prove fatal, according to Dikov. The fact that the setting up of a new infrastructure will bring about additional complications is the more serious problem.


Source: American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria