Geologists and engineers inspected a section of a third-class road (III-8641) connecting Smolyan and Pamporovo on Saturday, following a significant landslide. Marin Kushev, director of the regional road authority in Smolyan, stated that the team evaluated options for temporary stabilization measures and the construction of a bypass route to restore traffic flow until a permanent solution can be engineered. The on-site inspection was conducted by a working group that included Sofia-based engineer Kalin Kalchev, alongside representatives from the road maintenance company and the regional road authority.
Kushev reported that after reviewing all available options, the most feasible immediate measure involves utilizing an existing road that passes above the area affected by the landslide. He added that affected private properties will be inspected to analyze the feasibility of widening the route and creating temporary passing points to accommodate traffic. According to Kushev, clarity on whether this specific route can serve as a temporary bypass is expected by the beginning of next week.
While this option is viewed as the fastest means to restore connectivity, it will operate under temporary arrangements and present certain difficulties. Preliminary specialist observations suggest the terrain is in relatively stable condition, with no visible signs of active deformation, though a final assessment is pending. The estimated length for this potential temporary bypass is approximately one and a half kilometers.
Furthermore, the possibility of an alternative route beneath the landslide, utilizing a forest road, was assessed but deemed unusable due to displacement from the earth masses. Experts noted that the scale of the landslide is extensive, complicating the implementation of quick recovery solutions. Work to analyze all options for restoring the road continues.
Topics: #road #landslide #pamporovo
