Gümülcine–Bulgaria road set to reopen on June 1 following emergency bypass construction
A newly constructed bypass road on the strategic Gümülcine–Bulgaria vertical axis is expected to reopen to traffic by June 1 after months of disruption caused by a major ground collapse.
The road damage occurred at the 7th kilometer of the Gümülcine–Bulgaria route, a critical transportation corridor linking Northern Greece with Bulgaria and the Balkans. Authorities confirmed that asphalt paving works began on Thursday as the emergency infrastructure project entered its final phase.
Road Closed Since February After Ground Collapse
The crisis began on February 19 when a significant ground subsidence incident was detected on the main roadway. Due to safety concerns, the route was officially closed to traffic on February 24.
Traffic was temporarily redirected through the villages of Karydia and Pandroso. However, the alternative village roads created serious transportation and safety problems because of their narrow structure, sharp turns, and residential traffic.
Natural Gas Pipeline Caused Delays
Construction of the bypass route began on March 20 and was initially expected to be completed in early May. However, the project faced delays after engineers encountered the Greece–Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) natural gas pipeline in the area on April 25.
Following technical assessments and route modifications, work resumed, pushing the completion timeline to the end of May.
Strategic Corridor for Tourism and Trade
The Komotini–Bulgaria road serves as a major gateway for millions of tourists and travelers entering Greece from Bulgaria and other Balkan countries, especially during the summer season.
Authorities stated that while the temporary bypass is expected to open on June 1, permanent restoration works on the main roadway are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.
