On Sunday, April 28, a retaining wall fell in the section and hindered traffic in the area. The API said that waterlogging of the soil contributed to this. According to the expert Yasen Ishev, there is no way that the wall collapsed because of the rain, because it did not rain that much, reported Bulgaria ON AIR.
"Since last year, I can see that it has started to move forward towards the roadway. Inspections are made 2 times a year, where it is noted that there are malfunctions to take measures, here measures could have been taken already last year, with these earth masses that were pressed. It was cut in its lower part, the two sheets had fallen on the emergency lane. This means two things – firstly, that it was not calculated correctly and secondly, that there is a geological surprise, some kind of lens, unforeseen by the planners", is convinced the chairman of the Board of the Scientific and Technical Union for Transport Yasen Ishev.
The expert added that once a facility is designed, it has a warranty period of 12 years, but also needs to be maintained.
Damage is still being assessed. It is still being considered what kind of retaining wall will be built to prevent the collapse from happening again.