Agency „Road Infrastructure“ proposes the introduction of temporary restrictions on the movement of heavy trucks over 12 tons on the busiest highways in the country during the official holidays in 2026. The draft order, which has been published for public discussion, aims to facilitate traffic for passenger cars and increase road safety, Nova TV reports.
The main goal of the measure is to facilitate travel for thousands of citizens who set off on the road during the gathering of several days off. According to the RIA, limiting heavy traffic will increase safety, reduce the risk of accidents caused by improper overtaking, and prevent the formation of truck columns.
►Which roads and when will they be affected?
-The restrictions will cover the following road sections:
AM „Trakia“
AM „Hemus“ – in the section from Sofia (km 0) to the road junction at the roundabout with road I-4 (km 87).
AM „Struma“
Road I-1 – in the section from road junction „Simitli“ to road junction „Kresna“ on the Struma Motorway.
-It is planned that heavy goods vehicles will be stopped on the following days and times in 2026:
National Holiday (March 3):
March 3: from 12:00 to 20:00.
Easter:
April 9 (Thursday): from 14:00 to 20:00.
April 10 (Friday): from 9:00 to 14:00.
April 13 (Monday): from 12:00 to 20:00.
Labor Day (May 1):
April 30 (Thursday): from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
May 1 (Friday): from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
May 3 (Sunday): from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
St. George's Day (May 6):
May 5 (Tuesday): from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
May 6 (Wednesday): from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Bulgarian Education and Culture Day (May 24):
May 22 (Friday): from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
May 23 (Saturday): from 9:00 AM to 2:00 p.m.
May 25 (Monday): from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Unification Day (September 6):
September 4 (Friday): from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
September 5 (Saturday): from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Independence Day (September 22):
September 18 (Friday): from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
September 22 (Tuesday): from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. h.
Christmas and New Year:
December 23 (Wednesday): from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
December 24 (Thursday): from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
December 28 (Monday): from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
►Which trucks will be exempt?
The ban will not apply to roadside assistance trucks with specialized equipment.
On the last day off, the restriction will be only for those traveling in the direction of Sofia. Traffic for those leaving the capital will be free.
-On the “Hemus“ in the section from Sofia (km 0) to the road junction to the roundabout with road I-4 (km 87), on the Struma Motorway and the I-1 Republican Road in the section from the Simitli Motorway (km 376) to the Kresna Motorway on the Struma Motorway (km 402), the ban will not apply to trucks performing:
Public passenger transport (buses).
Transportation of dangerous goods (ADR).
Transportation of live animals, perishable food products and temperature-controlled cargo.
Transportation with specialized carcass trucks.
For the Trakia Motorway the restriction will not apply to buses. The ban in the direction of Sofia will not apply to trucks with dangerous goods (ADR), but only in the section from the road junction “Ihtiman“ (34th km) to the road junction “Vakarel“ (23rd km).
During the restrictions, drivers of heavy trucks over 12 tons will be able to use alternative routes from the republican road network.