Update @ 14: 53 13 August 2024:
Due to the ongoing extreme heat, the truck ban has been extended to 14th August. The restriction, again applicable to heavy goods vehicles exceeding 20 tonnes, will be in effect from 13:00 to 21:00 in the regions of Ruse, Razgrad, Silistra, Targovishte, Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, and Lovech.
In the Ruse region, movement will be restricted on the I-2 Ruse – Razgrad road from the Ruse exit at the 12th km to the 37th km, and on the I-5 Ruse – Veliko Tarnovo road from the Ruse exit at the 6th to the 65th km. Traffic on the I-5 road from the city of Byala towards Ruse will also be halted.
In the Shumen region, restrictions will apply to the “Hemus” highway from the 311th km near Bukhovtsi to the 376th km near Nevsha, and on the I-4 Targovishte – Shumen road between Cherencha and Belokopitovo (250th km to 258th km). Movement will also be restricted on the I-2 Ruse – Shumen – Varna road and the I-7 Silistra – Shumen road in the territories of the Shumen and Razgrad regions.
In the Veliko Tarnovo and Targovishte regions, traffic will be temporarily restricted on the I-4 Sevlievo – Veliko Tarnovo – Targovishte road between Novo Selo and Cherencha (from km 101 to km 250), as well as on the I-5 Polski Trumbesh – Veliko Tarnovo – Gabrovo road from Polski Trumbesh to Debelec (from km 65 to km 115). Additionally, restrictions will be in place on road II-55 Debelec – Predela – Gurkovo, from Debelec to the village of Mishemorkov Khan.
In the Lovech region, heavy goods traffic will be stopped on the I-4 Koritna – Malinovo road between km 9 and km 69.
Article published at @11:28 13 August 2024
The Bulgarian Road Infrastructure Agency has announced a temporary ban on the movement of heavy goods vehicles exceeding 20 tonnes in several regions today, 13 August, due to anticipated extreme heat. The ban, which will be in effect from 13:00 to 21:00, has been introduced to protect the road network from potential damage caused by temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.
The restrictions will affect key road sections across the regions of Ruse, Razgrad, Targovishte, Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, and Lovech. Specific roadways, including the I-2 Ruse – Razgrad road and the I-5 Ruse – Veliko Tarnovo road, will see heavy truck traffic suspended.
In the Ruse region, traffic restrictions will apply to the I-2 Ruse – Razgrad road, particularly between the 12th and 37th kilometre marks, and the I-5 Ruse – Veliko Tarnovo road from the 6th to the 65th kilometre. Additionally, movement on the I-5 road from Byala towards Ruse will be halted.
The Shumen region will see similar restrictions, notably on the “Hemus” highway between Bukhovtsi and Nevsha (311th km to 376th km), and on the I-4 Targovishte – Shumen road from Cherencha to Belokopitovo (250th km to 258th km). Restrictions will also apply on the I-2 Ruse – Shumen – Varna road and the I-7 Silistra – Shumen road.
In Veliko Tarnovo and Targovishte regions, the ban will affect the I-4 Sevlievo – Veliko Tarnovo – Targovishte road between Novo Selo and Cherencha, as well as the I-5 Polski Trumbesh – Veliko Tarnovo – Gabrovo road from Polski Trumbesh to Debelec. Traffic will also be halted on road II-55 Debelec – Predela – Gurkovo, from Debelec to Mishemorkov Khan.
In the Lovech region, heavy trucks will be barred from using the I-4 Koritna – Malinovo road between the 9th and 69th kilometres.
To minimise disruption, HGVs affected by the ban will be required to wait at designated locations outside the roadway. Exceptions to the restriction include vehicles transporting perishable foods, temperature-controlled goods, live animals, and dangerous goods.
Moreover, in a related development, the Road Infrastructure Agency has also announced traffic restrictions at the “Malo Buchino” tunnel on the Struma motorway. From 08:00 on 13 August and 14 August, traffic will be restricted in the Pernik tube to allow for the installation of supporting structures for the tunnel’s lighting system. Traffic will flow in both directions through the tube leading to Sofia.