Bulgaria limits heavy trucks on Trakia and Struma highways for weekend

The Road Infrastructure Agency (API) announced temporary restrictions on heavy‑truck traffic (vehicles over 12 tonnes) on the Trakia (A1) and Struma (A3) motorways, as well as on the I‑1 road through the Kresna Gorge, between the Simitli junction and the Kula border crossing. The measures will be applied on Friday, 31 July, from 16:00 to 23:00, and on Sunday, 2 August, from 15:30 to 22:00.

The goal is to reduce the risk of accidents caused by unsafe overtaking and the formation of long truck queues during peak travel to the Black Sea coast. Drivers of trucks over 12 t travelling to or from Burgas may use the alternative I‑6 “Podbalkan” road. For traffic to and from the Kula border crossing, a detour via road II‑19 through Simitli and Gotse Delchev, then road III‑198 and III‑198‑1, is provided. Reversible lane arrangements will be used in the Simitli area to aid traffic flow toward Ban Ski and other tourist resorts.

Exemptions include buses carrying passengers, vehicles transporting hazardous materials (ADR), live animals, perishable food, temperature‑controlled goods, emergency ambulances, and road‑maintenance vehicles. The API noted that similar measures could be introduced on other holidays if traffic intensity warrants it.