Bulgaria and North Macedonia halt heavy‑truck traffic amid heatwave

In Bulgaria, temporary bans on trucks over 20 tonnes were imposed on the Trakia, Struma and Maritsa motorways on 30 June and 1 July when temperatures were expected to exceed 35 °C. The restrictions applied between 13:00 and 21:00 and included designated waiting zones across several provinces.

North Macedonia introduced a summer traffic regime for heavy‑goods vehicles from 1 July until 31 August. Trucks weighing more than 15 tonnes are prohibited on state roads during weekend hours (Friday 17:00‑22:00, Saturday 09:00‑18:00, Sunday 09:00‑22:00) and on days of extreme heat, with additional bans Monday‑Thursday 11:00‑17:00. The A2 Skopje‑Ohrid section has a stricter limit of 7.5 tonnes during the same weekend windows. Exemptions cover livestock, perishables, hazardous materials and vehicles engaged in state‑contracted projects. Both measures aim to reduce congestion, protect road surfaces and ensure safety for motorists during the heat wave.