Temporary changes are being made to the traffic organization at the "Topli Dol" and "Praveshki Hanove" tunnels on the "Hemus" highway and on the section of the I-1/E-79 Sofia - Kulata road, at the connection of the first-class road with the "Struma" highway and the "Simitli" road junction. The goal is to facilitate travel during the Easter holidays and the expected heavy traffic.
Today from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and tomorrow - April 18, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the "Topli Dol" and "Praveshki Hanove" tunnels there will be two lanes for traffic towards Varna for cars and heavy trucks over 12 tons. Traffic to Sofia will be redirected to bypass routes.
In the section near the "Praveshki Hanove" tunnel, all cars will be redirected from the "Osikovska Lakavitsa" junction (at 60 km) along the I-3 road and will return to the highway at the "Pravets" junction (at 52 km).
In the area of the "Topli Dol" tunnel Passenger cars will be redirected from the 47th km of the "Hemus" highway, at the "Botevgrad" junction, along road II-17 and road I-1 Sofia - Botevgrad, and at the 30th km, at the "Vitinska Reka" junction, they will continue again along the highway.
Heavy-duty vehicles over 12 tons will be temporarily stopped and will wait in place before the "Topli Dol" tunnel at the 40th km, in the area of the "Bebresh" viaduct.
On April 21 (Monday) from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., when traffic to the capital is expected to be intense, in the "Topli Dol" and "Praveshki Hanove" tunnels there will be two lanes of traffic in the direction of Sofia for cars and heavy trucks over 12 tons.
Temporary restrictions and detours will be introduced for those traveling in the direction of Varna. The traffic of heavy trucks over 12 tons will be temporarily limited. Vehicles will be diverted at the exit of Sofia on the I-1 Sofia - Botevgrad road, to the "Yana" junction, where they will wait on site. Passenger cars traveling to Varna will take a detour from the "Vitinska Reka" junction (at 30 km), on the I-1 Sofia - Botevgrad road, road II-17 and at 47 km at the "Botevgrad" junction, they will continue on the "Hemus" highway. From the "Pravets" junction (at km 52) will divert again onto road I-3 and will return to the highway at the "Osikovska Lakavitsa" junction (at km 60).
Heavy-duty trucks over 12 tons, transporting dangerous goods, live animals, perishable food products, temperature-controlled goods and specialized carcass trucks will not be stopped. They will move according to the traffic organization for passenger cars on all days.
In the period from April 17 to 21, at the discretion of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Sofia Traffic Police, additional actions may be taken to facilitate traffic and increase the permeability of vehicles.
From 12:00 p.m. today until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday - April 19, there will be reverse traffic on a section of the I-1/E-79 Sofia - Kulata road, at the connection of the first-class road with the Struma highway and the Simitli junction. From Thursday to Saturday, two lanes in the direction of Kulata and one lane in the direction of Sofia will be provided, which will make it easier for travelers towards the border with Greece.
After 12:00 on April 19 (Saturday), the permanent organization of traffic with two lanes in the direction of Sofia and one lane for Kulata will be restored.
The Road Infrastructure Agency appeals to drivers to drive carefully and at a reasonable speed, to follow traffic rules and not to undertake risky overtaking that endanger the safety of all other travelers. Do not use emergency lanes on highways for faster movement in heavy traffic, as this prevents the passage of vehicles with a special traffic regime in the event of an accident. The emergency lane can only be used in sections with a temporary traffic safety organization in place, the Road Agency reminds.