“The motorway outside the gorge!”
Construction of a highway that would preserve the Kresna gorge is quite possible, and to comply with the law is mandatory. This can be achieved through the development, evaluation and selection of alternatives outside the gorge. Currently there are four options developed in this direction.
Option 1: Long tunnel option
Preferred local NGOs and formally approved by EIA in 2008 is the alternative long tunnel.
Option 2: Eastern alternative 1 (ECO A Eastern alternative)
Option 3: Eastern alternative 2 (ECO B Eastern alternative)
Option 4: Western alternative
Main proposals of the State:
“In 2014 NKSIP assigned to “Patproekt 2000” Ltd. a feasibility study for a route of Struma motorway “in the region of Kresna Gorge from km 378 +600 to km 399 + 788.84 = 397 + 600. The designer produced feasibility studies and offered new solution complying with the statutory requirements for roads and optimal technical features. This design solution offers instead of a long tunnel to construct numerous short tunnels allowing their simultaneous execution in a shorter time. The separation of lanes allows trouble-free and conflict-free traffic, the traffic is routed in one lane while construction is undergoing on the other lane and vice versa. The separation of lanes also allows staging of the construction if necessary. The proximity of the lanes next to each other, allows rapid switching of the traffic from one to the other lane, providing temporary organization in the construction of the motorway, in the operation of road and divertion of traffic in case of accidents, emergencies, natural disasters and others. ” (ToR for EIA Lot 3.2 version for consultation 11.2015, p. 27-28)
Consequently two main options were developed that are the current proposal of the State for the construction of Struma motorway through the Kresna Gorge.
Dual Carriageway 2014 (option G20)
“The route starts south of the junction “Krupnik”. In the Kresna Gorge one lane follows the existing road E-79 and the other is constructed independently with tunnels and construction works in the western massif of the gorge. After leaving the Kresna Gorge passes east of the town of Kresna and ends at Kresna junction.”(ToR for EIA Lot 3.2 provided consultation 11.2015, p. 7)
“In the proposed option G20 the designed route should be developed to G20 dimensions and design speed Vmax. = 80 km/h. Both lanes are developed independently of each other, taking apart and close to each other in situational and grade line treatment. this aims to maximize the route of the existing road, minimal use of surrounding areas and the economy of the decision. Where possible, follow and use the existing road and in other areas are provided tunnels and viaducts. Where necessary should be made retaining walls … The route passes through two protected areas Natura 2000 – protected area for habitat BG0000366 “Kresna-Ilindentsi” and a protected area for birds BG0002003 “gorge”. Does not affect reserve “Tisata” protected area “Moravian.” The track is not affects protected area “Kresna Gorge” with a view to developing a technical solution for crossing the track in the area of the protected area. ” (ToR for EIA Lot 3.2 version for consultation 11.2015,, p. 27-31)
Staged Dual Carriageway 2015 (option G20-optimized)
“The route starts south of the junction” Krupnik. “In the Kresna Gorge one lane follows the existing road E-79 and the other developed independently with tunnels and facilities in the western massif of the gorge. After leaving the Kresna Gorge passes east of the town. Kresna ends at p.v. “gorge”. ” (ToR for EIA Lot 3.2 version for consultation 11.2015, p. 13)
“In 2015, it entrusted the preparation of conceptual design proposals for the G20 variant that is optimized taking into account the geological and environmental conditions and leads to the development and presentation of G20 optimized version. The latter has the same dimensions and also provides building long tunnel in the Kresna gorge, but offers other technical solutions ….. The main difference in the optimized version to gauge G20 are changes in the left lane of the track. The track passes through two protected areas Natura 2000 – protected area for habitat BG0000366 “Kresna- Ilindentsi “and a protected area for birds BG0002003” gorge “. Does not affect reserve” Tisata “protected area” Moravian. “The track does not affect protected area” Kresna Gorge “with a view to developing a technical solution for crossing the track in the area of protected territory. ” (ToR for EIA Lot 3.2 version for consultation 11.2015, p. 27-31)