From today until the end of the weekend, those traveling on the key motorways in the country should take into account serious changes in traffic organization. The "Road Infrastructure" Agency (API) has announced upcoming traffic restrictions on the "Trakia" and "Hemus" motorways, in connection with repair works on various sections of them. These measures have been taken with the aim of improving the safety of travelers and are especially important at the end of the week, when the intensity of traffic usually increases.
In order to optimize traffic and ease travel, API reminds drivers of the need for increased attention and strict adherence to road signs and temporary restrictions. In some areas, if necessary, the emergency lane may also be used, which is an additional measure to ensure smoother movement.
"Hemus" Motorway
On the "Hemus" motorway, in the section between the village of Yana and the entrance to Sofia, where the repairs started on September 15, reversible traffic will be introduced. Every Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., two lanes will be opened for traffic in the direction of Varna. Traffic to Sofia will be diverted along a bypass route through the "Yana" road junction, along road I-1 through Gorni and Dolni Bogrov. Every Saturday until the end of October, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., there will be two lanes for those traveling to Varna, with traffic to the capital being carried out on an alternative route, again via the "Yana" road junction and Gorni and Dolni Bogrov.
On Sunday, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., as well as on Monday from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., two lanes will be opened for traffic in the direction of Sofia. Traffic to Varna will be diverted along road I-1, from Sofia through Dolni and Gorni Bogrov. It is planned that reversible traffic will be applied during all weekends until the completion of the repair of the section from Yana station to Sofia. The expected date for the completion of construction activities in the lane to Sofia is October 31.
"Trakia" Motorway
Meanwhile, in four sections of the "Trakia" motorway in the Sofia, Pazardzhik, Stara Zagora and Sliven regions, repair works are underway in one lane. Traffic in these areas is carried out in both directions in the lane in which no repair work is being carried out. Alternative routes are also offered for those traveling to and from Plovdiv, including the Sub-Balkan road I-6 Sofia – Karlovo, as well as the road Ihtiman – Samokov.
In the Sofia region, in the section between the 24th and 33rd kilometers, traffic will be organized in the following way: from 00:00 h. on Friday to 2:00 p.m. there will be two lanes for traffic in the direction of Sofia and one lane for Burgas, and from 2:00 p.m. to 00:00 h. two lanes will be opened for Burgas and one for Sofia. During heavy traffic, around 12:00 p.m., it is possible to close the lane for Sofia, with traffic in the three remaining lanes to be carried out only to Burgas. From 4:00 p.m. it is possible to restrict traffic in the lane for Burgas, providing three lanes for those traveling to the capital.
On Saturday, from 00:00 h. to 3:00 p.m., there will be two lanes for traffic in the direction of Burgas and one for Sofia, and from 3:00 p.m. to 00:00 h. two lanes will be organized to Sofia and one to Burgas. During heavy traffic, in the hours between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., it is possible to restrict passage in the lane for Sofia, freeing three lanes for traffic to Burgas.
On Sunday, throughout the day, two lanes will be opened for traffic in the direction of Sofia and one for Burgas. During heavy traffic, in the hours between 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., it is possible to stop the movement of those traveling to Sofia, and only those traveling to Burgas will be able to pass in the three open lanes.
In the Pazardzhik region, in the section between the 90th and 98th kilometers, construction works are being carried out, and traffic is carried out in both directions in the renovated lane to Burgas, with one lane for each direction.
In the Stara Zagora and Sliven regions, repairs are also being carried out in the lane to Burgas. In Stara Zagora, a ten-kilometer section is being repaired, between the 208th and 218th kilometers, and in the Sliven region - 11 km, from the 262nd to the 273rd kilometer. In these sections, traffic is carried out in both directions in the lane to Sofia, with one lane for each direction. During heavy traffic, in order to increase safety, it is possible to introduce reversible traffic, depending on the traffic load. The decision to apply reversible traffic will be made by the "Traffic Police".
For additional safety and facilitation of traffic, API introduces restrictions on the movement of trucks over 12 tons. Every Friday until the end of October, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the movement of heavy vehicles will be restricted in the section from Sofia to the "Orizovo" road junction on the "Trakia" motorway in the Stara Zagora region (from km 0 to km 165). With the change in traffic organization, heavy goods vehicles will be able to use bypass routes.
Every Sunday until the end of October, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the movement of trucks over 12 tons in the direction of Sofia on the "Trakia" motorway will be restricted, from the "Stara Zagora" road junction to Sofia (from the 208th km to km 0). The ban does not apply to public transport, the transport of dangerous goods (ADR) and road assistance. Buses, which are in the category of motor vehicles over 12 tons, will pass along the motorway.
API apologizes for the inconvenience caused, emphasizing the need for repair works to ensure the safety and comfort of travelers. Drivers are urged to observe traffic rules and speed limits, not to undertake risky overtaking and to allow more time for travel, due to possible traffic jams in the repair sections.
At the beginning of October, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works stated that the expectation is that the entire "Hemus" motorway will be completed by the end of 2029 or the beginning of 2030.