Winter Situation Is Most Complicated in Northeast Bulgaria

Nearly 1,500 snow ploughing machines are cleaning the snow from the roads across the country. The road treatment continues to keep them passable and ensure safe travel in winter conditions. The most complicated is the situation in Northeastern Bulgaria - in the districts of Dobrich, Rousse, Razgrad and Silistra, and in Bourgas region.

Durankulak-Shabla

Due to the heavy snowfall, storm wind and snowfall, the traffic on Trakia Motorway in the section of Yambol - Bourgas was temporarily suspended. The bypass route for vehicles weighing up to 12 t in the Yambol - Bourgas direction is the I-6 Pentloutcheta - Karnobat - Aytos - Bourgas and vice versa. The bypass route for vehicles above 12 tonnes in the direction of Yambol - Bourgas is via I-7 Yambol - Elhovo and on the road II-79 Elhovo - Bolyarovo - Sredets - Bourgas.

The sub-Balkan road I-6 is closed for all motor vehicles on the territory of Stara Zagora district- in the section from Maglizh to Gurkovo. The bypass route is via Stara Zagora - Nova Zagora - Gurkovo. The traffic of vehicles weighing above 12 tonnes is limited on the first-class road I-6 from Tvarditsa to Bourgas.

There are no traffic limitations on Hemus, Struma, Lyulin and Maritsa motorways.

The Danube Bridge at Rousse is closed for vehicles above 12 tonnes due to the complicated weather conditions in Romania and therefore the traffic of vehicles weighing over 12 tonnes, traveling to Danube Bridge - Rousse border crossing, is suspended.

Due to the heavy snowfall, the strong winds and the snowfalls, the traffic of vehicles over 12 t on the road I-5 Rousse - Byala is temporarily limited. The section is cleaned by 15 machines and a rotary snowplough.

In Dobrich region, due to heavy snowfall, wind and snowdrifts, the traffic is stopped for all vehicles on I-9 Durankulak - Varna road. On the territory of Varna District, the traffic of vehicles above 12 t is limited on the road I-9 Staro Oryahovo - Obzor and on route II-29 Varna - Dobrich. Traffic on the third-class road III-2901 from Aksakovska panorama to Suvorovo is closed for all vehicles and on route III-2902 from Aksakovska panorama to Kichevo.

The pass of the Republic is open to all vehicles. Troyanski, Dulinski and Obzorski passes are closed for all vehicles. For vehicles weighing above 12 t, the traffic through Rishki, Kotlenski, Aitoski, Petrohan and Shipka passes is limited, and for lorries weighing above 12 t with trailers and semi-trailers, traffic is limited through "Pecinsko", "Prevala" and "Rozhen". Traffic is limited for motor vehicles weighing above 10 t through Tvardishki and Vratnik passes.

The Road Infrastructure Agency advises motorists to avoid travelling unless it is absolutely necessary and postpone it until the weather conditions in Northeastern Bulgaria and Bourgas region get better. Motorists should make sure the car has a full tank of fuel and keep the windscreen properly clean. Their vehicles need to be equipped, windscreen wiper, suitable tires, and have chains to use, if necessary. Motorists are recommende to drive at a speed appropriate for the weather and with caution, following the guidelines of the Traffic Police. Blocking traffic by cars that are not fitted with suitable tires makes it difficult for snow ploughing machines to work and may cause traffic disruptions.