[size=85:2euyzzfr]Aug 25 2011 10:25 CET by The Sofia Echo staff

Bulgarian PM Borissov, Plevneliev launch major highway project
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov and Regional Development and Public Works Minister Rosen Plevneliev were set on August 25 2011 to turn the first sod of the construction of Lot 5 of Road I-7 linking the towns of Silistra and Shoumen, the Cabinet media office said.

This marks the start of one of the largest-scale projects under the Transit Roads V programme, local news agency Focus said.

The almost 107km road section is an important connection between two of the largest towns in north-eastern Bulgaria. The project also includes rehabilitation and partial reconstruction of the road.

The contract signed with Patinzheneringstroy-T EAD is worth 42 388 498 leva, excluding value-added tax. About 65 per cent of the sum comes from a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), while the rest from Bulgaria's national Budget.