Pazardzhik Ready for Winter Snow Removal: Next Year 8 Municipal Network Machines and 2 Each for the Republican Road Network in the City

Questions about how municipalities in the region will greet the winter are now finding answers. The readiness briefings are part of an information campaign by local authorities, as in some areas the first snow has already fallen and a heavy snowfall is expected. Mayors were asked to indicate the winter maintenance budget, whether the equipment is owned or contracted, how many machines will be mobilized, how activities will be coordinated in the small settlements, and whether there is a 24-hour signal line.

The end of the month is the deadline for municipal administrations to send reports to the Regional Administration, after commissions check winter readiness.

For Pazardzhik Municipality, the situation is being clarified by specific parameters. At present, a two-year contract for winter maintenance has been signed with the company “Delchev Engineering” LLC for the seasons 2025/2026 and 2026/2027. The maximum contract value is about 250 thousand euros with VAT per year, depending on the need and the intensity of the season. The exact amount for the 2026/2027 season will be discussed separately.

For the upcoming winter season, an operational plan has been developed, covering approximately 41 kilometers of municipal roads outside the city center, the city street network in Pazardzhik, segments of the republican road network within the city limits, and the central pedestrian zone. The plan provides for the use of specialized snow-clearing equipment and gritting equipment, distributed across specific sections. For the municipal road network, 8 snow-clearing machines and 7 gritting machines are planned, while for the republican road network sections in the city, 2 vehicles for snow removal and chemical treatment are provided.

To counter ice, a suspension of sand-salt mixtures, technical salt, magnesium lye, and other preparations will be used, depending on temperatures and meteorological conditions. The operational plan foresees pre-arming about 60 percent of the necessary materials by the time of the technical inspection of the equipment. The main road arteries, city public transport routes, bridges and overpasses, as well as streets to hospitals and schools, will be prioritized.

The winter maintenance organization includes a 24-hour dispatch duty and continuous coordination between the contractor, the municipality’s duty center, and the traffic police (KAT). Activities will be coordinated by selected officials from the municipal administration and responsible staff of the contracting company. Ongoing quality control of snow removal and the execution of assigned tasks will also be carried out.

According to the contract, the contractor commits to bringing the snow-clearing equipment into operation within 30 minutes after the onset of snowfall. The municipal administration emphasizes that the goal is to ensure timely response and passability of the main road directions, as well as access to populated areas. The Mayor of Pazardzhik assures that the municipality is fully prepared for the upcoming winter season.

Source: Zname.info