Lyulin motorway will be launched on May 15, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rossen Plevneliev has confirmed, cited by the Focus news agency on May 11 2011.

To ensure the timely launch, the Cabinet provided another 50 million leva package for the construction of motorways in the country on April 18, including Lyulin. The money will be provided from the Budget's reserve for "unpredicted and imminent expenses".

The cost of the Lyulin motorway has increased by six million leva, a second spike in the price after the Cabinet provided an additional 84 million leva for its construction last year.

The opening will also be attended by Dirk Ahner, head of regional policy, director general of the European Commission. A municipal road, running parallel to the motorway, will be maintained as an alternative to Lyulin in case of emergencies, the minister said.

Earlier in April, Plevneliev announced that EU funds will be provided during the next EU budget period, 2013/20, for financing of the construction of a motorway and four other major intercity "speedways".

Plevneliev said that the Hemus motorway and four major roads with four lanes have been approved as eligible candidates for EU financing. Those speedways have been planned between Rousse-Shoumen, Varna-Dourankoulak, Plovdiv-Roudozem and Doupnitsa-Ihtiman, Dnevnik daily reported on April 14.