608 snowplows are treating the surfaces on the national roads. The routes are passable in winter conditions, traffic is carried out without difficulty, and treatment work continues. Snow is falling in 17 regions: Blagoevgrad, Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Kardzhali, Lovech, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Haskovo and Shumen.
Activities for winter maintenance of the national road network continue to ensure safe travel. Temporarily, due to heavy snowfall and cleaning, the passage of heavy goods vehicles on road III-385 Shipkovo – Ribaritsa, as well as through the passes “Prevala” and “Troyanski”, is restricted. At the “Prevala” pass, there is also a restriction on the movement of trailers and semi-trailers.
Yesterday, the deteriorated meteorological conditions caused a rockfall on the third-class road III-866 Stoykite - Shiroka Laka and its closure. Today, traffic was partially restored in both directions in one lane. Work on clearing the second lane continues. Drivers can also use the bypass route introduced yesterday: Asenovgrad – Plovdiv – Krichim – Devin – Stoykite and back. Traffic is regulated by the Road Police.
The treatment of road surfaces continues to ensure safe travel for drivers. The teams of road maintenance companies are taking the necessary actions to ensure traffic in winter conditions. To increase traffic safety and if necessary, it is possible to close individual sections for treatment of the routes with inert materials. Where necessary due to strong wind, snowdrifts or poor visibility, traffic may be temporarily restricted until meteorological conditions improve and the road is cleaned.
The Road Infrastructure Agency appeals to drivers to travel with vehicles prepared for winter conditions, to drive at a speed appropriate for winter conditions, not to undertake risky maneuvers, and to overtake snowplowing equipment. Blocking traffic by vehicles that are not prepared for winter conditions makes it difficult for all other drivers to travel and for the snowplowing equipment to work.
All citizens and transport companies can obtain information about the current road situation and the winter maintenance of the national network from the API website - www.api.bg, as well as at any time of the day on tel. 0700 130 20. A Situation Center operates year-round, 24 hours a day, which collects and summarizes data on the condition of the national roads.