New Year’s holiday traffic changes announced for sections of "Hemus" motorway

On 29 December, Friday - on the last working day before the New Year's holidays weekend, from 12:00 to 20:00, and on 30 December ,Saturday, from 8:00 to 14:00, a change in the traffic flow is introduced and the passage of heavy goods vehicles weighing more than 12 tonnes in the direction of Varna on a section of Hemus Motorway between the 30th to the 47th km is temporarily stopped. The adjustment is due to the expected peak days of travelling during the upcoming three days off for the New Year holidays and the repair and reconstruction works in the tunnels "Topli dol" and "Praveshki Khanove", Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) said on December 28.

Heavy goods vehicles will be redirected by a detour route from the road link "Vitinska Reka", at the 30th km, along the road Sofia - Botevgrad and road II-17 to the road junction "Botevgrad" (at the 47th km), from where they will continue their journey on the Hemus motorway. Depending on the weather conditions and traffic congestion, and if necessary, the passage of vehicles weighing more than 12 tonnes may be restricted in the section from road junction "Pravets" (at km 52) to the road junction "Osikovska Lakavitsa" (at km 60/). The detour route will be via the I-3 road.

On 1 January 2024, from 11:00 to 20:00, all types of vehicles travelling from Sofia to Varna will be restricted on sections of Hemus Motorway in the area of “Topli dol” and “Praveshki Hanove” tunnels. The aim is to provide two lanes in the tunnels for those travelling from Varna to Sofia on the last day of the holiday period.

Motorists travelling to Botevgrad and Varna will be redirected by a detour route - from the road connection "Vitinska Reka" on the road I-1 and road II-17, and at the road II-17. "Botevgrad", traffic will continue on Hemus Motorway. At "Pravets" road junction, the traffic will be rerouted via the road I-3 and at the road I-3. "Osikovska Lakavitsa will continue on the motorway.

RIA urges motorists to set off with vehicles prepared for driving in winter conditions. They are advised to drive safely, with caution and at a reasonable speed, observe the traffic rules and not undertake risky overtakings, which may endanger the safety of all other drivers. Do not use emergency lanes on motorways to move faster in busy traffic, because this prevents the passage of emergency response vehicles in the event of an accident.