Bulgaria’s "Europe" highway is on the verge of full accessibility for drivers, with the entire 63-kilometer stretch from the Serbian border at Kalotina set to open soon. This significant development is a key part of the government’s priority to enhance road infrastructure and improve national and regional connectivity.
Key Takeaways
- The "Europe" highway will be fully open to traffic starting Sunday.
- The "Hemus" highway construction is being accelerated, with a specific section opening by month’s end.
- A comprehensive inventory of Bulgaria’s road network will be completed by November 1.
"Europe" Highway Nears Completion
Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov announced that the entire "Europe" (Evropa) highway will be accessible to traffic starting Sunday. This highway is a crucial component of the Trans-European Transport Network, connecting Bulgaria to Serbia via the Kalotina checkpoint. Its completion is expected to significantly streamline vehicle and freight traffic, particularly by integrating with the Northern Speed Tangent and facilitating smoother distribution onto the "Hemus" and "Trakia" highways.
Government’s Focus on Road Infrastructure
Minister Ivanov highlighted that highway construction has seen a considerable slowdown in recent years, underscoring the government’s commitment to prioritizing road infrastructure improvements. The "Hemus" highway construction is being expedited, with the "Boaza" section, linking to the "Dermantsi" road junction, slated for opening by the end of the current month. This accelerated pace reflects a broader strategy to modernize Bulgaria’s transportation network.
Road Network Inventory and Signage
In addition to highway developments, the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) has been tasked with completing a comprehensive inventory of Bulgaria’s entire road network by November 1. This initiative aims to identify and rectify issues with outdated or missing road signs across the country’s extensive 20,000-kilometer network, which currently features over 50,000 signs. For sections equipped with average speed monitoring, the system will consider the maximum allowed speed, disregarding localized speed restrictions in its calculations.
