Since 12 October, when the Road Infrastructure Agency (API) resumed repairs in the Sofia-bound tube, the drive through the Topli Dol tunnel on the Hemus motorway has taken about half an hour longer on average. National Toll Administration data show this. All vehicles now use the Varna-bound tube in both directions, with a 50 km/h limit, the agency said.

This report follows our earlier story on the 12 October decision to send all traffic through the tunnel in both directions in the Varna-bound tube.

The tunnel is at the 39th km of the motorway. Travel time is measured on the 25 km stretch between Razliv and Churek. A month ago drivers covered it in about 16 minutes. On Wednesday morning, 14 October, it took them 43 minutes, and today, 15 October, 39.

There is no bypass around the tunnel. The agency called on drivers to allow more time, drive carefully and follow the rules and limits. It advises drivers to take another route if they can, and suggests the Iskar Gorge or the Petrohan pass for cars.

Slower traffic is expected on Friday afternoon, with the heaviest flow between 3pm and 8pm towards Botevgrad. About 2,600 vehicles an hour are expected then, twice what the tunnel can handle. With two-way traffic, it lets through 1,200 vehicles an hour in each lane.

On Sunday afternoon, as people return to Sofia, about 2,100 vehicles an hour are expected.

Oversize vehicles up to 4.5 m high and 3.75 m wide can also pass safely through the Varna-bound tube while it carries two-way traffic.

In the Sofia-bound tube, builders are finishing the reinforcement and waterproofing and fitting mesh on the vault and walls. They are building escape galleries and kerb blocks, and installing lighting, power supply, ventilation, traffic lights, variable road signs, video surveillance, an audio control system and fire alarms. Workers are also stabilising a landslide at the entrance of the Varna-bound tube.

The agency says that around 18 December, for Christmas and New Year, cars will again use both tubes in safe conditions. From about 11 January 2027 the Sofia-bound tube will be restricted again until work ends. The agency expects construction and installation work to finish in April 2027.

The main repair of the tunnel began in November 2023. The Varna-bound tube was renovated first, then the Sofia-bound one. Two cross passages for pedestrians have been dug between the two tubes, for evacuation in an emergency. They make the tunnel safer and meet European requirements.

To ease summer travel, the Sofia-bound tube was opened on 18 July 2025 with temporary arrangements and a 50 km/h limit.

The tunnel has been in use since 1985 and has not had a major repair until now. The two tubes are 883 m long (towards Varna) and 878 m long (towards Sofia).