Sofia City seeks EUR 180mn in EU funds for new subway line

Sofia municipality has reached an agreement with the finance ministry to apply for EUR 180mn financing from EU structural funds. The amount will be invested in a new line of the Sofia underground transport. Construction works are expected to start in 2008 and to continue about three years and a half. In the meanwhile, the municipality has approved a waste management strategy valued at EUR 131mn that will also rely on EU funding. The strategy envisages construction of a waste-burning plant by 2011. The city council is expected to call a public tender for building the plant and hopes to finance 80% of the expenses by EU grants.