site.btaOver-20-tonne Trucks Barred off Some Roads in Afternoon and Evening, June 24-27, Due to Hot Weather

Trucks of over 20 tonnes in gross weight will be barred off some road sections in nine of Bulgaria’s 28 administrative regions between 1 PM and 9 PM from June 24 until June 27 due to hot weather as ambient air temperatures are expected to surpass 35 C. The restriction applies to roads in the northern regions of Ruse, Silistra, Razgrad, Targovishte, Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, Pleven, Lovech and Gabrovo, the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) said on Monday.

The announcement refers to the following roads: Hemus Motorway, 310th km to 375th km; First-class Road I-2 Ruse-Varna, 12th km to 146th km; Road I-3, 7th km to 170th km, from the Strahilovo junction to Yablanitsa; Road I-4, from Koritna to Shumen; Road I-5 Ruse-Gabrovo, from 6th to 115th km; Road I-7 Silistra-Shumen; and Road II-55 Debelets-Predela-Gurkovo, from Debelets to Mishemorkov Han.

Heavy goods vehicle traffic needs to be suspended periodically when temperatures are dangerously high, in order to minimize the risks of damage to the road surface and to protect the life and health of road users.

During suspension hours, such vehicles should be parked off the carriageway in designated places, in a way that does not impede the movement of other traffic participants. The restriction does not apply to vehicles carrying perishable foods, cargo requiring a special temperature regime, live animals or hazardous products.

The RIA urges drivers to be cautious and maintain speed commensurate with conditions, observe traffic rules and avoid risky overtaking, which would jeopardize everyone’s safety. Emergency lanes on motorways should not be used for faster movement in intense-traffic situations. Breaking this rule will impede the movement of specialized vehicles in the event of an accident.