site.btaOver 515 Snowploughs Clear National Roads amid Intensifying Snowfall

More than 515 snowploughs are treating road surfaces across Bulgaria’s national road network as snowfall intensifies. Roads are being cleared and remain passable under winter conditions, the Road Infrastructure Agency said in a press release on Sunday.

Due to heavy snowfall and ongoing snow removal, traffic for heavy goods vehicles with trailers and semi-trailers has been temporarily restricted on several routes: the Rozhen, Prevala and Pechinsko mountain passes in Smolyan Region; the Ardino–Kardzhali road in Kardzhali Region; the Simitli–Razlog road via the Predela Pass; the Yundola–Razlog road; and the Gotse Delchev–Katuntsi road via the Popovi Livadi Pass in Blagoevgrad Region; as well as the Velingrad–Yundola and Belovo–Yundola roads in Pazardzhik Region. Traffic for heavy vehicles over 12 tonnes is also restricted through the Troyan Pass. Chains are mandatory on the Prevala and Pamporovo passes.

For safety reasons, and when necessary, certain sections may be temporarily closed to allow treatment of road surfaces with inert materials. In areas affected by strong winds, snowdrifts or poor visibility, traffic may also be halted until weather conditions improve and roads are cleared, the Agency said.

The Road Infrastructure Agency urged drivers to set out only with vehicles prepared for winter conditions, to drive at speeds appropriate for winter weather, to avoid risky manoeuvres and not to overtake snow-clearing equipment. Vehicles unprepared for winter conditions that block traffic hinder both other drivers and snowplough operations.

In Sofia, 165 snowploughs are on standby to respond to snowfall, Sofia Municipality said earlier on Sunday.