Repair works continue on Makaza–Yaniköy border road linking Greece and Bulgaria

Repair operations are continuing on the vertical connection road between Makaza and Yaniköy near the Greek-Bulgarian border after a major road collapse forced authorities to close the route earlier this year.

According to statements made to local media by Manolis Tapacas, restoration works are progressing as scheduled, and officials aim to reopen the road to traffic within the coming days.

The road, which connects Gümülcine with Bulgaria, was shut down in February following a serious ground collapse near Kalfa village. The damage was first noticed by a professional driver traveling through the area, who documented the dangerous conditions and alerted authorities.

Officials stated that the collapse posed a significant risk to motorists, particularly during nighttime hours when visibility was limited.

Speaking about the ongoing works, Manolis Tapacas explained that the contractor company has already begun implementing the engineering plan prepared within the framework of the Egnatia Odos project.

The reconstruction process includes the placement of granite material, stone, and gravel layers, followed by sand and gravel reinforcement. Authorities are also using specialized machinery to ensure proper ground compression before applying a double-layer asphalt surface.

Tapacas stressed that the intervention is designed as a permanent infrastructure solution rather than a temporary repair.

“This is not a superficial restoration. It is a comprehensive project, and if everything continues according to schedule, we expect completion in the coming days,” he said.

The newly reconstructed section is expected to extend approximately 200 meters and aims to permanently resolve transportation disruptions on one of the key cross-border routes between Greece and Bulgaria.

The Makaza border corridor is considered strategically important for regional trade, tourism, and transportation links across the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean.