On 20th January 2023, construction works started on the Petarch – Dragoman railway line in Bulgaria. With this project, the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport aims to promote rail transport to Serbia on the European East-West Corridor. The works are to be completed within two and a half years. The construction of the Petarch – Dragoman section includes the double-tracking of a 17 km railway line and the extension of 4 km of single-track line. The speed will be up to 160 km/h, which will reduce the train travel time from Sofia to Dragoman by half. The project will replace tracks, platforms and overhead lines. The value of the construction contract is around €140 million (BGN275 million), and the contractor is Terna.
