Hamzabeyli border crossing faces 37-kilometer truck queue

A massive 37-kilometer queue of heavy goods vehicles has formed at the Hamzabeyli–Lesovo border crossing between Turkey and Bulgaria. Drivers report extreme hardships, including a lack of access to food, toilets, and rest facilities, with some waiting for several days to cross.

The congestion is attributed to ongoing renovation work at the nearby Kapitan Andreevo–Kapikule border crossing, which has diverted significant traffic toward the smaller Hamzabeyli point. Drivers have called for the implementation of an appointment system and solutions to visa-related delays to alleviate the situation.

In response, customs officials from both Turkey and Bulgaria met at the Hamzabeyli–Lesovo crossing to discuss capacity improvements. Plans are underway to double the crossing capacity by increasing the number of lanes dedicated to freight vehicles. Additionally, Bulgaria is developing a new heavy vehicle transit point, “Kapitan Andreevo–North,” to better manage international transport traffic.