Following the recent opening of the final section of the Europe Motorway, Bulgaria’s newest completed motorway, criticisms have emerged regarding the road’s design, dimensions, and speed limits, which some say resemble those of a regular road.

While some sections currently permit speeds of 120 km/h (approximately 75 mph), a decrease from the standard 140 km/h (about 87 mph), other areas are restricted to 90 km/h (around 56 mph). the Road Agency has acknowledged the validity of these concerns.

According to the chairman of the Board of Directors of the RIA, Yordan Valchev, speaking on Nova TV, the project’s original design, dating back to 2016, incorporated a narrower dividing strip and narrower lanes. Eng. Valchev explained that these dimensions necessitate a safer speed limit of up to 120 km/h.

This speed limit is expected to be implemented on other highways throughout Bulgaria. The head of the Road Agency stated that investigations are underway to determine where speed restrictions will be necessary. The Hemus AM highway is likely to be affected due to it’s challenging, mountainous terrain.

Standard Speed Coming

According to Eng. Valchev, “The normal speed for the highway is 120 km/h and this is highly likely to become the new practice in Bulgaria by mid -2026.”

“The normal speed for the highway is 120 km/h and this is likely to become the new practice in Bulgaria by mid -2026”

Looking Ahead

The move to standardize speed limits is expected to spark further debate among drivers and policymakers alike. As Bulgaria continues to develop its infrastructure, balancing safety with efficiency will remain a key challenge.