Protests Disrupt Traffic on E-79 Road Between Vratsa and Montana Due to Decades of Neglect
Traffic on the international E-79 road between Vratsa and Montana was temporarily disrupted by protests on Saturday, March 14, 2026, as citizens demonstrated against the deteriorating condition of the roadway. Protesters blocked the road near the Vratsa village of Kravoder, citing numerous potholes and a lack of significant repairs for 25 years.
Decades of Disrepair Fuel Citizen Outrage
Demonstrators expressed frustration over the dangerous state of the road, reporting frequent vehicle damage and a growing fear for their safety. According to reports, the road is riddled with holes and craters, making travel hazardous, particularly at night.
“It’s an adventure to move, especially in the evening. We lack the state, they collect us tolls, we pay our taxes. We talk about repairing the roads, but they don’t exist,” said protester Hristina Petrova.
Another protester, Nina Mininska, stated, “In the North-West, we are forgotten by the state, rulers, local authorities and API. In addition to breaking our cars, we also fear for our lives.”
Mariela Borisova added, “It’s a nightmare, it’s not a road. They seek to kill us, that’s more than clear. You can’t travel every day risking your life, because there are potholes. It’s not the drivers with the tires, the road is to blame. Tires travel everywhere in the world and it’s not such a nightmare as in Bulgaria.”
Recent Incidents and Road Improvements
The protests follow a fatal head-on collision on the E-79 road between Montana and Vratsa on January 27, 2026, which resulted in one death and several injuries BNT News. A diversion route was implemented following the accident, causing significant traffic delays.
In September 2025, a fire at the exit of Vratsa towards Montana briefly disrupted traffic on the E-79 Fakti.bg, but was quickly brought under control and traffic was restored.
While the Vidin-Botevgrad expressway is under construction to replace the existing I-1 road, including sections near Vratsa and Montana, completion is now expected in 2027 WorldysNews. As of March 6, 2024, a 13.6 km section between Makresh and Bela had been put into operation.
Vidin-Botevgrad Expressway Project Overview
The Vidin-Botevgrad expressway (Скоростен път „Видин-Ботевград”) is a planned route linking the A2 Hemus motorway with Vidin and the New Europe Bridge, a Danube border crossing to Romania Wikipedia. The expressway is part of the Pan-European Corridor IV and European route E79.
As of March 14, 2026, sections of the expressway are at various stages of completion:
- Vidin – Makresh: Under Construction
- Makresh – Bela: In service
- Bela – Ruzhintsi: Under Construction
- Ruzhintsi – Montana: Tender
- Montana By-Pass: In service
- Montana – Vratsa: Planned
- Vratsa By-Pass: Planned
- Vratsa – Mezdra: Planned
- Mezdra – Lyutidol: Under Construction
- Lyutidol – Botevgrad: Under Construction