Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Shishkov has characterized a flooded section of the Hemus motorway as the result of an “extremely bad technical solution,” warning that the failure could be dangerous to human life.
Technical Negligence and Project Timeline
According to the Minister, the problematic area is part of the motorway’s first lot. This specific segment of construction began in 2018 and was completed at the end of 2025.
Shishkov described the situation as a reflection of “absolute negligence and the attitude toward the norm, toward construction, toward projects.”
Determining Accountability
The Minister identified two potential causes for the flooding: either the original project design was flawed, or the contractor deviated from the approved plans.
He explained that if the project itself was incorrect, the designer and the supervision team would be responsible. However, if the builder deviated from the project, then the contractor and the supervision team would both be at fault.
Inspections are currently ongoing, and the Minister emphasized that sanctions for those found responsible may be sought.
Financial Loopholes and Contract Indexation
Beyond the physical failure of the road, Shishkov criticized a methodology for the indexation of construction contracts adopted at the end of 2025.
He stated that this methodology allowed for the indexation of advances that had already been paid to construction firms, describing it as a “way to drain our money through a veiled legal path.”
The government is reportedly preparing changes to this methodology, and the Minister indicated that payments under the current rules are unlikely to be permitted moving forward.
A Call for Systemic Reform
The Minister also directed criticism toward certain companies within the road sector, arguing that the interests of the sector should not be the sole focus of construction projects.
He referenced previous scandals surrounding the Hemus motorway, including concerns over corruption and the distribution of advances in recent years.
Shishkov asserted that the state must change how infrastructure projects are awarded and controlled, stating the goal is to begin building “transparently, honestly, and legally.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the flooding of the Hemus motorway section?
Minister Ivan Shishkov attributed the flooding to an “extremely bad technical solution.”
Who is potentially responsible for the construction failure?
Depending on the findings, responsibility may lie with the project designer and supervision if the project was flawed, or with the contractor and supervision if the builder deviated from the project.
What is being changed regarding construction contracts?
The government is preparing changes to the indexation methodology adopted at the end of 2025 to prevent the indexation of already paid advances.
How can governments better ensure the transparency and safety of large-scale infrastructure projects?
