Temperatures dropped sharply on Sunday and snow fell. Initially in the western regions.
There were strong blizzards in places.
The snow managed to create slight difficulties in traffic, especially in the mountains and on the passes. The Roadside Assistance announced that they helped stuck cars on "Petrohan", summarizes NOVA.
The "Petrohan" pass
Machines are cleaning and sanding the road, but they cannot cope with the heavy snowfall. In places there were also quite a few stuck cars. Most were unprepared for winter conditions, since the requirement to use winter tires expired on the first April.
The “Road Infrastructure“ Agency appeals to drivers who have a trip ahead today and in the coming days to set off with cars prepared for winter conditions. Meteorologists' forecasts are for worsening weather, for rain and snow and strong winds.
The regional road departments are ready to take the necessary actions to treat the pavements in the high-mountainous regions and passes, where there are prerequisites for slipperiness and icing, especially early in the morning, when temperatures are lower.
The goal is for preventive and then snow removal activities to begin as quickly as possible in order to ensure the passability of the roads. The priority is the motorways, the busiest routes on the first-class and second-class road network and the passes providing connections between Northern and Southern Bulgaria.
The “Shipka“ Pass
Six more road maintenance vehicles are working on the road. The situation there is expected to become much more difficult, as the snowfall is intensifying.
As of 8 p.m. on Sunday evening, the pass is open to traffic. There are no reports of incidents.
April snow: Cold front brings winter temperatures and precipitation
To increase traffic safety, if necessary, individual sections may be closed for treatment of the routes with inert materials. Where necessary due to strong winds, snow drifts or poor visibility, traffic may be temporarily restricted until weather conditions improve and the road is cleared.
Drivers must drive with increased caution and at a reasonable speed, keeping a safe distance, and not making sudden maneuvers or overtaking snowplows. Blocking traffic by vehicles that are not prepared for winter conditions makes it difficult for all other drivers to travel and for snowplows to work.
All citizens and transport companies can obtain information about the current road conditions and winter maintenance of the national network from the API website - www.api.bg, as well as at any time of the day by calling tel. 0700 130 20 at the RIA.
The Agency operates a Situation Center 24 hours a day, year-round, which collects and summarizes data on the state of the republican roads.