The Road Infrastructure Agency (API) will publish weekly updates on the work at the Topli Dol tunnel on the Hemus motorway, it said.

Prime minister Rumen Radev and regional development minister Ivan Shishkov inspected the repairs on site yesterday.

What happened before: Radev: Topli Dol tunnel on Hemus motorway will open for the holidays

The manager of the building firm doing the work said traffic will reopen in both directions before the Christmas and New Year holidays. He said repairs have been halted several times since 2025. Work resumed at the start of October, and crews are working two shifts to finish faster.

API said repairs in the Sofia-bound tube resumed on 12 October. Crews still have to finish the reinforcement, waterproofing and mesh on the vault and walls.

Work also remains in the same tube on the evacuation galleries, pavement blocks, lighting, power supply and ventilation. Builders also have to install traffic lights, variable road signs, video surveillance, an audio dispatch system and a fire alarm system.

At the entrance to the Varna-bound tube, crews are securing a landslide.

Repairs are going on under changed traffic rules. API says the repairs and traffic changes are needed so drivers can pass through the tunnel safely, and it apologises to drivers for the inconvenience.

API is coordinating its work with the traffic police to keep travellers safe and traffic organised.