The Road Infrastructure National Agency has initiated a new ambitious scheme that maps out the construction of a ring road around the town of Gabrovo, north of the Balkan mountain range in central Bulgaria, in addition to the tunnel which will be excavated under the mountain range, bypassing the Shipka summit pass, and connecting the town with southern Bulgaria, Stroitelstvo Gradut has reported.

The deadline for firms to submit their applications for the project, which is designated as part of Corridor 9, is June 15.  Potential construction companies will be selected on the grounds of the Concession Act which does not envision a preliminary selection process of the participants. Depending on preliminary procedures such as investor meetings, design plans and cost calculations, scheduled to be conducted at the beginning of July, the road agency is to commence the actual preparation for concession or for a tender.

Concession bids meanwhile, are to be submitted in the summer of 2010. Since the project is not part of a European Union Operational Programme, the funding of its construction will be allocated in the budget of 2011.

"So far, one technical design for the project has already been prepared by engineer Dimitar Hvarlev," said Dena Palankova, manager of Patproekt, as quoted by Stroitelstvo Gradut.

"However, before the blueprint is taken to any further stage, it should be upheld in accordance with all EU requirements" she said.

The route traverses an arduous mountainous region, which will make the construction work increasingly demanding. Apart from the tunnel snaking underneath the mountain, estimated to be at a total length of 3.22km with a height of of 4.8m, there will be four additional smaller auxiliary tunnels as well as a total of 10 bridges incorporated within the tunnel system.