The Austrian company Strabag officially inaugurated a 26 kilometer-long section of Bulgaria's major Hemus highway, three months behind schedule.
Strabag signed the contract for Hemus upgrade under the project "Transit Roads Rehabilitation III - Lot 4" in the first half of 2004. It was scheduled to finish works at the end of August this year. The renovation works started June 2004 and spread on four parcels totaling 26.24 km, as part of the National Development Program for 2000-2006.

The total cost of the project amounts to EUR 3.610 M. It is jointly financed by the EU ISPA program (75%) and the Bulgarian government via the Roads Executive Agency with the Regional Development Ministry (25%). The first renovated part of Bulgaria's major Hemus highway was officially put into operation September 26. The upgrades of the 3,86 km-long parcel included strengthening of the road's curb and covering, replacement of railings, placement of new indications and of new asphalt layer.