Road Designs in Bulgaria will be According to the Intensity of Traffic and Built to Last for Many Years

Road infrastructure in Bulgaria will be designed according to the intensity of traffic for 30 years ahead. This is the new Ordinance on Road Design, which has already been promulgated in the State Gazette, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works announced. It introduces increased requirements for drainage of the roadway, with the aim of avoiding water collection and creating pothole conditions.
 
In areas with more complex traffic, lighting will be provided to provide greater visibility and safety. The requirement applies to motorway and highway junctions, as well as to road junctions of first-class roads.

The new regulation gives greater freedom in determining the design speed for each class of road depending on the transport functions and the peculiarities of the terrain. If the motorway passes through a plane terrain, the design speed will be 140 km / h, in the hilly terrain - 130 km / h, and in the mountain - 120 km / h. Under heavy terrain conditions, motorways can be designed at a design speed of 100 km / h and speed roads with a design speed of 90 km / h. The first-class roads have a maximum design speed of 100 km / h. (The design speed is different from the maximum permitted speed specified in the Road Traffic Act but can not be exceeded).

 
Highway safety zones will be set up along the motorways and roads. The aim is to protect both the drivers and passengers and the people on the roadside parking lots, the recreational grounds, pedestrian areas, etc. when the vehicles leave the roadway. The range of the area will be determined according to the road class and the maximum permissible speed for vehicles.

The space surrounding the motorways must be 16 m wide at a maximum speed of 140 km, for speed roads - 13 m...