The intense traffic on the road to and from Greece is once again becoming a serious test for both drivers and residents of Kresna. After the busy traffic during the weekends, today the traffic in the direction of Sofia is also expected to be increased, bTV warned.
During the summer months, kilometer-long queues in the area are a common sight. The situation is particularly severe in the Kresna Gorge and in the city itself, through which the main road to Greece passes.
For local people, this means serious restrictions in everyday life. The city is divided into two parts, and key places such as shops, pharmacies, post offices and municipal institutions are located on different sides of the main road. Thus, residents are forced to cross the busy route every day.
“On Fridays and Sundays, we shouldn't leave our homes at all“, locals joke. The reason is that a trip that usually takes about five minutes can last an hour or even an hour and a half on the busiest days.
The problem is also complicated by drivers who use alternative routes during traffic jams. GPS navigation systems redirect part of the traffic along secondary roads through the areas of Mikrevo, Kamenitsa and Slivnitsa. According to the local authorities, these routes are often driven at inappropriate speeds.
The cars then flow back into Kresna and further block traffic at one of the key intersections. The left turns, which interrupt traffic on the main Sofia - Kulata direction, are particularly problematic.
Local authorities also warn of another serious risk - if the road is completely blocked, access for ambulances and fire engines to people in need can be very difficult.
The residents of Kresna hope that the problem will be finally solved with the construction of the bypass road and the completion of the “Struma“ highway in the area. Until then, however, the summer season continues to put both those traveling to Greece and people living in the city to the test.
Traffic in the area is expected to remain intense today, and with the start of the new week, the flow of tourists returning from vacation in Greece is likely to increase.