The completion of Maritsa Motorway is expected by the end of 2009, said Regional Development and Public Works Minister Assen Gagaouzov. 

The motorway would link the Bulgarian major motorway, Traika, with the Turkish border, Bulgarian news agency BTA said.

An 18km section of the motorway has already been completed and an additional 24km will soon be integrated.

Work has not yet commenced on the remaining 140km of roadway.

Bulgaria will spend 500 million euro on road construction in 2008, Gagauzov said. A 100 per cent increase from the current spending, the financing will be spent on the construction of new roads and road repairs.