Smolyan and Pamporovo Face Direct Road Closure Through the Winter Season
A massive landslide that destroyed a primary transport link between Smolyan and the Pamporovo resort will leave the direct route closed throughout the upcoming winter season, forcing traffic onto limited alternative paths. It was reported that construction work to replace the severed roadway has not yet begun, leaving mountain tourism facing severe logistical hurdles as cold weather approaches.
Funding and Construction Plans for the Landslide Bridge
State authorities have secured financing exceeding 9 million euros to build a 108-meter bridge with two traffic lanes directly over the active landslide zone. The Infrastructure Agency published a public procurement tender for the project with a baseline valuation of 9,060,000 euros excluding value-added tax, setting a deadline for contractor bids on October 26, 2026. Construction firms can submit bids, and officials expect to clarify the exact start date for actual restoration work within a week.
Risks and Limitations of the Emergency Route
Drivers and local business operators currently rely on an emergency bypass route that skirts the landslide zone, but sources warn it remains vulnerable to worsening conditions. “There are many potholes and chasms. At one point we almost drove off a curve because it wasn’t secured,” driver Ivelina Nikolova told Nova. Delivery driver Alex Sandev explained that the rough terrain damages transported goods. Smolyan Mayor Nikolay Melemov stated that the municipality lacks funds for full asphalt paving, though local officials plan to surface the most difficult segment and have submitted a separate design to the state for a lower bypass route beneath the landslide.
Local Business Impact and Traffic Organization Meetings
Stefan Prisadov, executive director of Pamporovo AD, stated that properties located past the landslide toward Smolyan face severe commercial threats because guests cannot easily use the emergency path and must instead travel via Stoykite or Rozhen. To address these logistics, Mayor Melemov called a meeting for October 19 (Monday) at 09:30 a.m. in the Smolyan municipal administration hall, inviting local employers, Pamporovo AD representatives, and business stakeholders to establish a strict traffic schedule for workers during the winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pamporovo Road Disruption
When will construction of the new bridge begin?
Officials expect to determine the exact start date for the restoration work within a week following the public procurement process.
What is the estimated cost and design of the replacement crossing?
The state has secured over 9 million euros—specifically valued at 9,060,000 euros excluding VAT in procurement documents—for a 108-meter bridge featuring two traffic lanes built directly over the landslide zone.
How are tourists and delivery drivers reaching the Pamporovo resort currently?
Traffic relies on alternative routes through neighboring settlements, alongside an emergency bypass route that local officials plan to partially pave before winter.
Who is responsible for maintaining the emergency bypass route?
Regional Minister Ivan Shishkov stated that the emergency route is municipal property and must be maintained by the local administration.
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