Regional minister Asen Gagauzov stated yesterday that EBRD will help the government with the ongoing preparations and follow-up tender and evaluation proceedings for granting a long-term concession on Hemus Motorway. Gagauzov unveiled that three foreign firms, coming from Italy and Germany , have already expressed interest in the planned concession. The ministry estimates that the motorway concessionaire will have to invest around EUR 1bn in new construction works, rehabilitation and toll collection equipment. The motorway connects the capital city of Sofia in the western part of the country with the north-eastern Black Sea city of Varna . The fast-speed road will have a total length of around 450 kilometres, out of which some 150mn are operational as a top class highway with three lanes in each direction. The ministry is expected to wrap up this month the long lasting procedures for concessioning the other major transport link, Trakia Motorway, which is running through the southern parts of the country from the Black Sea city of Burgas to Sofia and further west to the border with Serbia .