Road Hauliers: Which Will Come First — Flying Vehicles or the Completion of Hemus Motorway?

The Topli Dol tunnel is once again forcing changes to traffic arrangements, testing the patience of hauliers. This is according to a statement by the Chamber of Road Hauliers in Bulgaria, issued in response to further restrictions on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on the Hemus motorway.

They say that recognising a problem is half the battle. They hope that the Bulgarian institutions responsible for the construction, repair and maintenance of road infrastructure will reach that halfway point. Once again, they are urging the transport sector and all road users to show understanding and patience.

The Chamber reminds drivers that on 23 October, from 15:00 to 21:00, vehicles weighing more than 12 tonnes will be prohibited from travelling towards Botevgrad.

On Sunday, from 14:00 to 21:00, and on Monday, from 07:00 to 09:00, lorry traffic towards Sofia will be suspended. The alternative route, as before, runs via the Petrohan Pass and the Iskar Gorge.

The Chamber of Road Hauliers in Bulgaria reminds all HGV drivers that the Petrohan Pass and the Iskar Gorge are normally closed to vehicles weighing more than 12 tonnes.

It is important to check the time windows and the direction in which these alternative routes will be open to HGV traffic. The lifting of the restriction will apply in one direction only: on Friday, towards the north-west from Sofia, and on Sunday and Monday, towards Sofia.

Since 12 October, following the resumption of repair work in the Sofia-bound tube of the Topli Dol tunnel, traffic has been running in both directions through the Varna-bound tube. There is no alternative diversion route. The repair work is not due to begin until spring 2027.

Meanwhile, the Arabakonak Pass is also under discussion. A concerted effort will be needed to bring it up to an acceptable standard. In other words, when there is no plan, there is always hope.

The current pace of work prompts a perfectly reasonable question: which will we see first — flying vehicles or the completion of the Hemus motorway?