Spas Popnikolov: Road safety must be a top priority of all stakeholders

It is necessary all road facilities to be investigated, passported and after a risk assessment made, a list with the priority repair projects to be prepared. This is an important step forward in the prevention of accidents and will give an objective picture of the road sector and the funds, necessary for its improvement.  

The Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Eng. Spas Popnikolov, the representatives of branch organizations and the civil society have a joint opinion, which, on his own initiative, held a discussion on road safety and facilities in exploitation. The purpose of the meeting was to present the different expert views and proposals for solving the problems in the management and maintenance of roads and road facilities in order to ensure quality and safety of road infrastructure.

The participants emphasized on the importance of ongoing current maintenance of road facilities for road safety. The legislation in the field is good and it should be followed strictly and only in clear need - to be modified and supplemented.

Eng. Pirin Penchev from the Management Board of the Road Infrastructure Agency informed that currently a risk assessment of tunnels and bridges is being made, as in most cases the problems are on them - their operational period is quite long and the workload is increasing.  If it’s necessary as a recommendation in the analysis, there will be facilities that will be closed, although we realize that this will create a problem for traffic, he added.

Minister Popnikolov pointed out that road safety must be a top priority of all stakeholders. He thanked the participants for the stated desire for cooperation and stressed that all stakeholders should join forces and work in close collaboration to improve the system of road safety in the country. Because of this, the idea is these meetings to become regular, he said in addition.