The project "Modernization of the railway line Sofia - Plovdiv: railway section Elin Pelin - Kostenets" is for the modernization of the railway infrastructure in accordance with the requirements for the railway infrastructure of the "main" and "wide-ranging" TEN-T network. The modernization project is included in the strategic program of the Republic of Bulgaria for the modernization of the railway infrastructure and will contribute to the development of the Orient/East-Mediterranean corridor. The project includes the following elements of the railway infrastructure: Railway Track, Facilities, Contact Network, Signaling and Telecommunications and Station Infrastructure in the section from km 22+554 to km 73+598. With the implementation of the project, the modernization of 51,044 m of double railway line will be achieved for a speed of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains in full compliance with the requirements of TSOS. The start date of the project is 01.01.2016. The project has been approved by the EC and for its financing a grant agreement was signed DOPTTI-2/02.09.2018 under OPTTI 2014-2020. The implementation of the project has been delayed by about 3 years, resulting in the need for phasing, due to the following reasons: -Many appeals of the procedures for the selection of construction contractors- nearly 3 years; -Increase in the total value of the project, a result of the over-negotiation when signing the construction contracts; -Delay in construction implementation as a result of delay in land acquisition, due to appeal of land expropriation projects and lack of building permits. -Delayed start-up and increase in the cost of construction due to the global COVID pandemic, the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and progressive price inflation. In Phase 1 (until 31.12.2023), 97% of the expropriation procedures and 29.64% of construction have been completed. This form is for Phase 2, with a start date of 01/01/2024.