Romania and Bulgaria introduce a sudden HGV driving ban owing to a heat wave

The ban, which applies to vehicles, has been intorduced to protect the asphalt road surface.

Romania

On July 15-16, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM vehicles with a GVW over 12 tons will not be allowed to drive on sections of motorways, expressways and national roads managed by the following Regional Directorates:
❌ DRDP Bucharest (Ilfov, Giurgiu, Teleorman, Argeș, Dâmbovița, Prahova, Ialomița and Călărași);
❌DRDP Craiova (Dolj, Olt, Vâlcea, Gorj and Mehedinți);
❌DRDP Timișoara (Timiș, Caraș-Severin, Hunedoara and Arad);
❌DRDP Cluj (Bihor, Alba and Satu Mare);
❌DRDP Iași (Suceava, Botoșani, Neamț, Iași, Bacău and Vaslui);
❌DRDP Buzău (Buzău, Vrancea, Galați and Brăila);
❌DRDP Constanța (Constanța, Ialomița, Călărași and Tulcea).
The following types of transport are exempt from the ban:
◾ passenger transport;
◾ transport of live animals and perishable products of animal and plant origin;
◾ vehicles involved in rescue operations in the event of a natural disaster;
◾ funeral transports;
◾ postal transports;
◾ transport of rescue equipment;
◾ transport of fuels;
◾ transport of goods at controlled temperatures;
◾ vehicles towing damaged vehicles;
◾ transport of water and food to areas affected by natural disasters;
◾ transport of specialized vehicles intended for cleaning;
◾ transport of bottled water and non-alcoholic drinks;
◾ transport of farm products;
◾ military transports taking part in international exercises;
◾ transport of various food products (bakery products, fresh confectionery, sponge cakes and cookies, preserved confectionery, sugar and related products, cocoa, chocolate and sugar products, pasta, coffee, tea and related products, spices and herbs, special food products, various foodstuffs and dry products, juices and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including mineral water).

Bulgaria

On July 16, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM vehicles with a GVW over 20 tons will not be allowed to drive on road sections in 9 regions: Ruse, Shumen, Varna, Lovech, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Targovishte, Razgrad and Silistra. The ban on HGV traffic in the afternoon when temperatures are the highest is intended to minimize the risk of road surface deformation and protect the life and health of travelers.

When the ban is in effect, HGVs will have to wait in designated places, without disturbing other road users. The ban does not apply to vehicles carrying perishable food products, goods at controlled temperatures, live animals and dangerous loads.
◾ In the Ruse region, HGV traffic will be suspended on the section of the I-2 Ruse – Razgrad road from the exit from Ruse towards Razgrad at km 12 to km 37, as well as on the I-5 Ruse – Veliko Tarnovo road from the exit from Ruse at km 6 to km 65. HGV traffic will also be suspended on the section of the I-5 road from the town of Biała towards Ruse to the town of Ruse.
◾ In the Shumen and Varna regions, HGV traffic will be suspended on the section of “Hemus” motorway from km 311 near Bukhovets to km 376 near Nesha and from km 376 to km 425 in the Varna region.
◾ The ban will also be introduced on the I-4 Targowiszte – Szumen road on the Cherencza – “Belokopitowo” section from km 250 to km 258.
◾ In the Shumen and Razgrad regions, HGV traffic will be suspended on the I-2 Ruse – Shumen – Varna road, and in the Silistra and Shumen regions on the I-7 Silistra – Shumen road.
◾ In Lovech and Gabrovo, HGV traffic will be suspended on the section of the primary road I-4 between Koritna and the village of Balaban from km 10 to km 110. The ban will also be introduced on the I-5 road Veliko Tarnovo – Drjanowo – Gabrovo border – Stara Zagora border between km 115 and km 144.
◾ In the areas of Veliko Tarnovo and Targovishte regions, HGVs with a GVW over 20 tons will be not obe allowed to drive on the I-4 Sevlievo – Veliko Tarnovo – Targovishte road between the villages of Nowa Selo and Cherencha from km 101 to km 250. HGV traffic will be suspended on the section of the primary road I-5 Polski Trąmbesz – Veliko Tarnovo – Gabrovo from the area of Polski Trąmbesz to Debelec (from km 65 to km 115), as well as on the section of the road II-55 Debelc – Predela – Gurkowo, from Debelec to the village of Miszemorkow Han.