The traffic situation in Bulgaria remains dynamic and tense on Saturday. Drivers should prepare for temporary restrictions, increased holiday traffic and severe weather conditions.
Emergency measures are in force on the main highways due to the expected extreme temperatures, reaching 38°C–39°C in large parts of the country.
Emergency: The "Shipka" pass is closed for 6 hours
The most important change in the traffic situation for today, August 22, affects central Bulgaria. According to information from “Road Infrastructure“ Agency, from 09:00 to 15:00, the movement of transit vehicles on the I-5 (E-85) Gabrovo - Shipka - Kazanlak road through the “Shipka“ pass is completely restricted. The restriction is introduced due to the holding of national celebrations on the occasion of the 149th anniversary of the Shipka epic.
Transit traffic is redirected entirely through the Pass of the Republic (Hainboaz) along the following bypass routes:
For travelers from North to South Bulgaria: Ruse – Veliko Tarnovo – Debelets – Republic Passage – Gurkovo. For local traffic and those coming from Sevlievo: Traffic is being redirected through Gabrovo on road III-552 through Tryavna, the village of Belitsa and the village of Voneshta Voda to the Republic Pass.Only buses and cars with organized guests and visitors to the event will be allowed through the “Shipka“ pass during these 6 hours.
Repairs, truck restrictions and RIA measures
Due to the heat wave, in the afternoon between 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM hours, the RIA will stop the movement of heavy trucks over 20 tons when temperatures reach above 35°C. The restriction will apply to key sections in the districts of Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo, Razgrad, Targovishte, Pleven, Lovech, Gabrovo, Silistra, Haskovo, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv and Stara Zagora. The ban does not apply to the transport of perishable foods, live animals and dangerous goods.
In parallel, maintenance and repair activities continue:
AM „Trakia“: The summer restriction for trucks over 12 tons during peak hours is in effect. In the direction of Sofia – Burgas, their movement is limited on Fridays, and in the direction of Burgas – Sofia, the ban applies to Sundays from 16:00 to 20:00. An alternative route is the Sub-Balkan Road I-6. AM „Hemus“ and AM „Struma“: Phased partial repairs are being carried out, roadside vegetation is being mowed and road markings are being renewed. On AM „Hemus“, toll cameras are also being replaced at the beginning of next week.Traffic on the borders at 07:20
The Ministry is working on a report on intensive traffic at several border checkpoints:
Border with Turkey:Exclusively goods traffic at the checkpoint „Captain Andreevo“ at the entrance behind the leki cars are reserved for citizens passing through in transit. Granitsata ss Sarbia:The traffic is strong and intense at the State Checkpoint „Kalotina“ to get rid of cars. Border with Romania: Preminavaneto prez Dunav bridge pri Ruse se osstvovaya normally in dveta toll. It’s important to go from there to shofyorite and let them know that you’re ferribotnite vrazki Oryahovo – Becket and Svishtov – Zimnich will remain temporarily spread for a critically low level on the Danube River. Border with Georgia:Traffic is normal. Preporachva se na patuvashite yes izpolzvat osven „Kulata“ and „Makaza“, sscho and weakly at the point „Ilinden“, „Zlatograd“ and „Captain Petko voivoda“.Report from KAT: Disasters and casualties in Friday in 24 hours
Patna police (KAT) report that the situation is complicated with the same incidents in the country. According to the official tribute to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for izminaloto denonoschie na teritoriyata na stranata sa registrani18 transport incident tags. In case of incident e1 person kicked inand 23 souls sa woundiwith varying degrees of wounding. On the territory of the Capital Directorate for Internal Work (SDVR) the 16th disaster was registered, but citizens were seriously affected. From KAT we call for reasonable shofirans without the risk of overcooking.
Report from the Fire Department: Firefighters
The National Operational Center at the State Fire Safety Inspectorate reported on the complicated fire situation due to dry weather and the high fire hazard index. For 24 hours, fire in the country A total of 146 fires were extinguished. Sukhoi trevi, khrasti and selskostopanski buildings burned in the community, including golems of fire in Vidinsko, Vrachansko (the edge of the village of Tlachene) and Montansko, kadeto izgorya over 6000 bali slama in grain storage.
The fire department is reassuring that at the moment there are no active fires in the immediate vicinity of the Russian border, and it is darkened and burned in some areas and prez seventeenth sa catching from the air currents from the fire in Sarbia and Albania. Remaining in force, the code for the dangers of fire and the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate reminding that fire in open fire is absolutely prohibited.
Conditions for tourism in Planinite
The Mountain Rescue Service (MSS) informs that the conditions for tourism in the Bulgarian mountains are relatively good, but they are risky due to the high temperatures at lower altitudes. The weather in the morning is clear and calm, but later in the day cumulus clouds are expected to develop over the Rhodope Mountains and part of Rila. Rescuers advise tourists to undertake hikes in the early hours of the day, to carry enough water and to protect themselves from direct sunlight to avoid heatstroke.