Euro Alliance Tunnels AD has started the construction of Orlov Most Metro Station 8. The station will be constructed 24 m below the surface of Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi Boulevard. This is the most complex project at the new stage of the Sofia metro construction and the above depth is required because the tunnel passes below Perlovska river and already constructed facilities of the first Metro Diameter.
The new station is situated in the South East corner of Knyazheska Gradina and two entrances are provided for in the design approved by Sofia Municipality. The first entrance is on the side of Ariana Lake. The existing underpass will be used for entrance and a tunnel constructed by applying the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) will pass below Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi Boulevard and the Perlovska river. Thus the future station will be entered at entry lobby level. The existing underpass at the road crossing of Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi Boulevard and Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard will be used for the second entrance. The underpass, which is partially open, is planned to be completely covered and connected to the first Metro Diameter.
„The performance is highly complicated by the geological environment and high water table”, stated Katya Popova, Chief Executive Director of Euro Alliance Tunnels AD. According to her, the station for the most part will be constructed by applying NATM in order not to impact the road crossing and cause traffic jams. The selected method is also applied to protect Knyazheska Gradina and its vegetation which is of great importance not only for the area but for the city on the whole.
The bus stop at Orlov Most is planned to be moved 100 m ahead of its present location at Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi Boulevard. The changes in the traffic organization will be effective from 12.00 a.m., 01.02.2016 to 12.00 a.m., 01.02.2018.
