CROSSBO 2: Improvement of mobility and travel safety in the CB area

Acronym: CROSSBO 2
Start Date: 01/11/2025
End Date: 31/12/2027
Call: 4TH CALL_CALL FOR TARGETED PROJECT PROPOSAL _ PROJECT OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE IN IMPROVEMENT OF MOBILITY
Type: Strategic
Website: https://www.greece-bulgaria.eu/project/crossbo-2/

Priority

PRIORITY 2 - A more accessible Greece-Bulgaria Cross Border Territory

Policy Objective

03 - A more connected Europe by Enhancing mobility

Specific Objective

RSO3.2. Developing and enhancing sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility

Intervention Field

090. Newly built or upgraded other national, regional and local access roads

Budget

Total:
21.974.263,64€ERDF:
17.579.410,91€National Funds:
4.394.852,73€Private Funds:
0,00€

Partnership

Lead Partner	Name		Type	Country	Location of Activities
		ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AGENCY	Governed by public law	Bulgaria	BG424 - Smolyan \| BG425 - Kardzhali
		EGNATIA ODOS S.A	Governed by public law	Greece	EL512 - Xanthi

Project Description

Summary

The Interreg “Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020” Programme significantly improved the secondary connections in the cross-border area; now, in the 2021-2027 period, this strategic choice to complete the results of the investments made previously remains, because the current state of the road network is still characterised as unsatisfactory in terms of functionality and safety conditions.
The current strategic project has been developed jointly by the two partners, Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) and Egnatia Odos S.A. (EOSA), integrating their ideas, priorities and actions. The partners identified the most important road sections that need to be upgraded to best benefit the CB region and to consolidate the road sections of the current project.

From the Bulgarian side, the project consists of:

upgrading of 2,6 km section along Road II-86 (Rudozem bypass),
upgrading of a 2.49 km section along Road I-5 Kardzhali-Makaza and Technical design for the Smolyan bypass road.

From the Greek side, construction activities include upgrading the remaining sections of the Road Axis Xanthi – Echinos – Gr.-Bg. Borders – “Xanthi – Sminthi” subsection (600 m) [Bridge G3, Stavroupoli roundabout and Isaia cross-section].

The modernised infrastructure will mainly benefit the people of local communities where the proposed road sections are located, through enhanced mobility and safety, improved environmental conditions, better access to markets, labour mobility, goods, and services, improving their quality of life. Improving the transport infrastructure of the CB area promotes its sustainable development and cohesion, mitigates regional disparities, and provides equal opportunities for all.

(Infographic AI-generated)

Expected Results

The project results can be summarised as follows:

improved road infrastructures
better access to the TEN-T network
time savings in mobility and transportation
enhanced safety and security among road users and local communities
reduced transport costs
improved environmental conditions (noise, emissions)
enhanced local development, assisting trade, tourism, and labour mobility.

The upgraded infrastructure will benefit the population of districts in both countries where the proposed road sections are located. Target groups (road users, road authorities and maintenance companies, and local authorities) will benefit directly from the improved infrastructure. Transit travellers, tourists, and business organisations will also experience safer, more comfortable, and efficient travel conditions and services.

Local communities and authorities will benefit from the increased number of visitors to the region, contributing to the region’s overall development. In general, improving the transport infrastructure in the CB area promotes its sustainable development and cohesion, mitigates regional disparities, and provides equal opportunities for all.

The upgraded roads will remain valuable long after the project’s completion, laying the foundation for business investment and regional development. Continuous improvement of transport infrastructure is a key priority for sustainable development in both countries. Enhanced mobility will provide residents with better access to labour, markets, goods, and services, improving their quality of life. The project will support tourism, cultural ties, and agricultural trade in the cross-border area.

Result Indicators:

RCR56 – Time savings due to improved road infrastructures => 9.695,00 (Equivalent Man-days)

Expected Outcomes

The project’s main outcomes are:

Upgrade of a 2.61km road section along Road II-86 Rudozem bypass, of which 400m is new construction, with a carriageway width of 7.50m (2×3.75); reconstructed an existing bridge and constructed a new one; constructed a new road structure at km 134+380 (200m)
Upgrade of a 2.49km road section along Road I-5 Kardzhali-Makaza, with carriageway width 15.00/12.00m (4×3.75/4×3.00) and parking lanes 3m; reconstructed an existing bridge and two roundabouts
Technical design for MRC of the town of Smolyan-2km new road, with carriageway width 15.00m (4×3.75) and two bridges
Construction of the subsection of “Xanthi – Sminthi” 600m (7.5/10.5m) [including Bridge G3 (93m), Stavroupoli roundabout and Isaia cross section] and connecting roads to Isaia 240m and Stavroupoli roundabout 440m
Completion of the last 2,6km of Dimario – Greek Bulgarian Borders

The modernised infrastructure will benefit mostly the population of local and regional communities, namely Smolyan, Haskovo and Kardzhali districts in Bulgaria and East Macedonia and Thrace in Greece, where the proposed road sections are located, through improved environmental conditions (noise, emissions), assisting agricultural trade in the cross-border area, cultural ties and tourism. Enhanced mobility will provide residents with better access to markets, labour mobility, goods, and services, improving their quality of life. Improved travel conditions and services will increase the number of visitors, contributing to the region’s overall development. In general, improving the transport infrastructure in the CB area will promote its sustainable development and cohesion, mitigate regional disparities, and provide equal opportunities for all.

Output Indicators: