„The construction of Struma Motorway through the Kresnensko defile (Kresna Gorge) is a cause of national importance. We will do everything in our power to complete the highway as soon as possible, because by having built the section through the gorge we will improve road traffic safety and reduce the annual black statistics. Our plans are in 2019 to have contractors selected for the most complex section from Simitli to Kresna and immediately to start design activities, followed by construction works at the site“ – this was stated by the Chairman of the MB of Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) Georgi Terziyski before the „Stroitel“ Newspaper. According to the presented by him information, the application form for funding Lot 3.2 under the Operational Program „Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2014 - 2020“ (OPTTI 2014 – 2020) was prepared and is ready to be submitted to the European Commission. In the meantime, a commitment was undertaken by the government to insure funding from the state budget amounting up to BGN 741 073 600 for the realisation of the project under Lot 3.2 „Krupnik - Kresna“, left lane. Part of this money will be allocated for rehabilitation of the existing Road E 79. Georgi Terziyski commented as well, that the construction of the new section under Lot 3.2 (left lane) is a serious challenge. „There will be 7 tunnels, 21 viaducts, 4 road junctions, 12 overpasses and underpasses only along the nearly 24-kilometer road-bed in direction to Sofia. So many structures of similar complexity have not been built on any highway section so far. Nevertheless, our ambition is to implement this project and then to launch the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the existing road-bed in direction Sofia“, he added.