site.btaSofia to Track Pollution on Central Boulevard During Car-Free Weekends

Sofia Municipality will monitor air quality in real time during its "Summer on the Cobblestones" initiative, which runs every weekend in August, the municipal press centre said on Wednesday.

A mobile air quality monitoring station will measure levels of particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), with the data published live on the municipality's air quality platform. As part of the programme, Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Knyaz Alexander I Street and Vasil Levski Boulevard from 6:00 AM on Saturdays until 10:00 PM on Sundays.

Public transport will continue serving the area, while alternative routes will be available for drivers. Parking facilities in the area will remain accessible, Sofia Municipality said.

The initiative aims to assess how temporarily removing traffic from one of Sofia's main central boulevards affects air quality, noise and the urban environment. The findings are expected to support future decisions on sustainable urban planning and the use of public spaces.