Seven new landslides that emerged during the modernization of the Mezdra-Botevgrad road are delaying the opening of traffic on this section until the end of the year

The public consultation on the draft order for extending the temporary traffic organization runs until December 22

Seven new landslides emerged during the modernization of the Mezdra-Botevgrad road and are delaying the opening of traffic on this section until the end of the year. These landslides were documented over the past two months by Geozastita-Pleven EOOD and Geozastita-Pernik EOOD. Five of the landslides are located along Lot 1, specifically near the Lyutidol interchange and between the villages of Lyutidol and Novachene. The other two are in the Lot 2 section, one near the Reberkovo interchange and the other on the Lyutidol detour.

For the seven new landslides, the preparation and approval of plans for stabilizing and securing the rock slopes are still pending. One of the planned tunnel structures in the project will need to be extended by approximately 96 meters.

Until the strengthening works commence and all necessary construction is carried out, the temporary traffic safety organization on the I-1 road section will need to remain in effect, as ensuring the safe passage of vehicles through the site and near the landslides during the construction phase is not feasible. Traffic will resume once the necessary construction work is completed and public safety is fully ensured.

We would like to remind you that earlier this year, during the construction of the "Reberkovo" interchange, part of Lot 2 of the project for modernizing the I-1 road section, a landslide was triggered during excavation works. The construction permit for the site was issued on February 14, 2024. In March, the contractor promptly informed the Agency about the unexpected landslides and rockslides. A committee of experts and geologists from the Institute of Roads and Bridges at the Road Infrastructure Agency, Regional Road Administration Vratsa, along with the builder and supervisor, immediately conducted an inspection and assessment of the affected sections. Four sections with landslides were identified, one of them is at the "Reberkovo” interchange. A geologist's opinion was prepared, and the landslide was subsequently registered by Geozastita Pleven EOOD. As a matter of urgency, the RIA took the necessary actions to expedite the procedures and award the strengthening works.

On the Road Infrastructure Agency's website - www.api.bg, under the "Regulations" section and the "Draft Regulations" subsection, a draft order regarding the temporary organization and safety of traffic during the construction works has been published for public consultation until December 22.

Currently, the temporary traffic organization restricts movement on the Mezdra-Lyutidol-"Novachene" interchange section of the first-class road and redirects vehicles onto detour routes. It is planned to keep this arrangement in place, and the draft of the new order extends its validity until June 13, 2025.

The detour route for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes will be on road III-1004 Pavolche - Chelopek - road III-1602 Chelopek - village of Lyutibrod - road II-16 Lyutibrod - Eliseyna - Svoge - Sofia Ring Road and vice versa.

The detour route for vehicles more than 3.5 tonnes are:

• Road II-13 Krapchene - Krivodol - Borovan - Byala Slatina - Knezha - Dolni Dabnik - Road I-3 Dolni Dabnik - Cherven Bryag - Lukovit - Zlatna Panega - Hemus Motorway and vice versa;
• Road II-15 Vratsa - Borovan - Road II-13 Borovan - Byala Slatina - Knezha - Dolni Dabnik - Road I-3 Dolni Dabnik - Cherven Bryag - Lukovit - Zlatna Panega - Hemus Motorway and vice versa;

During the construction works on the Lyutidol-"Novachene" interchange section, local traffic to and from the village of Lyutidol will be able to use road III-161 Reberkovo - Lyutidol - Botevgrad or the municipal road Tipchenitsa - Lipnitsa - Novachene. From the "Novachene" interchange to the stage connection at km 192+140, traffic will operate on the newly constructed four-lane section of road I-1.

Drivers will be able to use other national roads as detour routes, following the permanent traffic organization in place for those roads.

The Road Infrastructure Agency apologizes to drivers and residents of the affected settlements for the inconvenience caused by the transit traffic passing through their areas. Diverting traffic to detour routes may inconvenience both citizens and drivers, but the closure is essential to ensure travel safety and to create a construction zone for the I-1 modernization, which will double the width of the current route. To improve the safety of commuters and residents in the communities affected by the diverted traffic, the RIA is maintaining constant coordination and collaboration with General Directorate "National Police". Drivers and residents in the region are urged to show understanding and patience, drive carefully at a reasonable speed, strictly follow traffic signals, and avoid risky overtaking that could jeopardize the safety and lives of all road users.