Traffic Resumes on Repaired Section of Trakia/Thrace Highway in Bulgaria

Traffic has been restored on a 10-kilometer section of the Trakia/Thrace highway in Bulgaria, following repairs completed in February. The restored segment lies between the Chirpan and Chirpan-East road junctions. API.bg reported the reopening occurred around 11:00 AM local time on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Repair Project Details

The repair work, encompassing a total of 16.5 kilometers, began in February. A 6-kilometer section between the Maritsa Highway connection and the Chirpan road junction was completed earlier, in early April.

About the Trakia/Thrace Highway

The Trakia/Thrace highway is a major transportation artery in Bulgaria, connecting Sofia to the Black Sea coast. The region of Thrace itself is a historical and geographical area spanning Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. According to Wikipedia, Thrace is bounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Aegean Sea to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.

Historically, the area was known as the Kingdom of Thrace, with boundaries including the Bosphorus Strait, the Balkan Mountains, and the Rhodope Mountains. Mapsofworld.com details the ancient roots of the region, linking it to Greek legends and the Thracian people.

Thracian History and Culture

Ancient Thrace was inhabited by various tribes and was known for its horse warriors, who often served as mercenaries in Greek and Macedonian armies. The Collector notes that Thracian culture valued music, poetry, and the arts. The region also holds mythological significance, being the birthplace of Ares, the Greek god of war, and Spartacus, the famous gladiator.