Northern Bulgaria’s „forgotten highway“ is finally being built. After years of waiting, the diggers are moving between Ruse and Byala

In May 2026, Bulgaria officially started building the Ruse–Byala section of the Ruse–Veliko Tarnovo highway. It is the first project in what Regional Development Minister Ivan Shishkov calls the „forgotten highways“ programme: long-promised roads that never got built. Why it matters: northern Bulgaria has waited decades for a fast, safe road linking the Danube to the centre of the country. Ruse is Bulgaria’s main gateway to Romania across the Danube Bridge, and Romania is our biggest source of visitors. Local officials welcomed the start of work, saying the motorway is essential for economic growth, attracting investment and safer roads in the north. The timeline: contractors say the Ruse–Byala section could be finished by the end of 2029, possibly earlier if work keeps its pace. The minister says the government plans to push several highway projects forward at the same time, rather than one after another. Part of a bigger picture. The new start follows the opening of the final section of the Europe Motorway in 2025, which now connects the Serbian border at Kalotina to Sofia all the way by motorway. Better roads mean shorter trips, safer travel and more reasons for visitors to explore beyond the coast and the capital. Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse and the towns in between deserve the traffic.

Sources: Novinite · BTA · TravelMole