[4][5] The route in the tendered section follows the existing major road 8/European route E80 road and also is part of Pan-European Corridor X, branch C. In October 2013 the tender procedure was cancelled due to lacking financing under the allocated for Bulgaria EU funds.

The Northern Bypass Highway or Sofia Northern Speed Tangent (Bulgarian: Северна скоростна тангента, Severna Skorostna Tangenta) is a dual carriageway, grade separated road with controlled-access, designed for high speeds.

[14] Construction works were expected to begin in 2013,[15][16] but due to litigation the contract for design and build was signed in February 2014.

Due to land expropriation issues,[18] the construction works started in February 2015.

[19] The first 13 kilometers of the motorway were opened in the end of 2015[20] and the remaining segment was inaugurated on 28 April 2016.