THE SOFIA-SIMITLI ROAD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A003600140005-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 12, 2005
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: February 24, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA003600140005-2
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
Bulgaria
The Sofia-Sjmitli Road
25X1
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
24 February 1951.
3
25X1
1. Between March and December 1953, some general improvements to the road surface
and clearing of drainage ditches were made on the Sofia-Simitli (N 141-54,
E 23-06) road. In addition, the paved sections between Sofia and Studena
(N 143-33, E 23-07) and between the points N 142-3;1-20, E 23-09-30 (southern
junction with side road to the now submerged village of Krapets,, N 142-31,
E 23-09) and N 42-29., E 23-07 were Joined. Thus the paved section is now con-
tinuous from Sofia to location N 42-29, E 23-07, a total distance of about 35
kilometers from the center of Sofia. In other sections, the crushed stone and
earth surface has been repaired or renewed. As a'result, very few and compara-
tively short sections of bad road remain, and even the bad sections are very
reasonable by Bulgarian standards. An average speed of 60 kilometers per hour
is now possible between Sofia and Simitli.
Sofia-'Studena Section - 18 kilometers
2. The Sofia-Studena section of the road via Rayko Daskalovo (Vladaya, N 142-37,
E 23.12) and Tsurkva (N 42-36, E 23-06) is paved throughout and is in excellent
condition. It is about five meters wide, and usually has shoulders one meter
wide on either side. There are several sharp bends and some slight gradients
around Rayko Daskalovo. Shortly after Rayko Daskalovo village, the road
descends in a large double bend to Dragichevo (N 42-37, A 23-09) and the valley
of the Golem Bryag rivulet. Tsurkva is approached from the east,, but the road
forks south in the village to Studena. (The other prong of the fork leads west-
ward to Dimitrovo (Pernik, N 142-36, E 23-02)). Near the south exit from Studena
village, a road leads southeast to the recently completed Studena barrage which
is located approximately 1.5 kilometers southeast of the village.
Studena-Dupnitsa Section - 39 kilometers
3. During 1953, the section of the road between Studena (N 143-33, E 23-07) and
the point N 142-31-20, E 23-09-30, approximately four kilometers, was paved
XTARMY x
X AIR x FBI AEC
(Note: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"j Field Distribution By "#".)
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United states, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
25X1 by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA003600140005-2
 Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA003600140005-2
with set stones. The width of the rooa4.is four to five meters throughout, with
earth shoulders occasionally as much as 1.5 meters wide `dn both.(lsided*~ At'Dolna
Dikanya (N 42-27, E 23..07), a short bridge (about 25 meters long--sic) carries
the road across an easily fordable rivulet. For six kilometers south of Dolna
Dikanya, the metalling shows signs of considerable wear and there are numerous
potholes; this section is never bad enough to require slowing to less than 440
kilometers per hour. Four kilometers northwest of the level crossing at the north
exit from Dupnitsa (N 42-16, E 23-07, now Starke Dimitrov), there is another
small bridge across an easily fordable stream.
Dupnitsa-Kocherinovo Section - 24 kilometers
4. The north-south thoroughfare in Dupnitsa is paved; after this, the standard
crushed stone and earth surface resumes. The road is four to five meters wide
with earth shoulders one meter wide on eitl-Br side. The road is in good condi-
tion throughout ditching and resurfacing having recently been completed. Near
Kocherinovo (N )42.05, E 23-03), the road ascends eastward to slightly higher
ground. Eight kilometers south of Dupnitsa, a very feeble wooden bridge about
three or four meters long across a gully is badly in need of attention.
KochertTaovo-Gonna Dz. auma Section - 12 kilometers
5. This section of the road has a surface of crushed stone and earth and is in good
condition. It is between four and five meters wide and has earth shoulders ' one
meter wide on either side. In Kocherinovo the road, after approaching the village
from the west,, turns sharply to the south to enter Barakovo (N 42-03, E 23.04).
In Barakovo, an old narrow Turkish stone bridge 12 meters long carries the road
across the Rila River. There is a fairly steep gradient over a short distance
outside of Barakovo. Five kilometers south of Kocherinovo, there is a short
bridge (three or four meters long) across a gally. One kilometer farther south,,
there is a short timber bridge marked 14 tons, followed immediately by a''steep
wi g ro dsascending to higher ground overlooking Gorna Dzhumaya (N 42-01,
B 2:3-O6, now Blagoevgrad). In Gorna Dzhumaya, the road crosses the Bistritsa
River over a concrete and masonry bridge five meters wide.
Gor,.aDzhumaya-Simitli Section - 21 kilometers
6. Some recent improvements of a general nature have turned this section into a
od road with an average width of four meters. There is still a narrow stretch
about three meters with no shoulders) for about one kilometer, hugging a cliff
overlooking the Struma River, about six kilometers northwest of Simitli (N 41-54,
B 23-M). Immediately south of Gorna Dzhumaya, there is a short section with a
gradient of 1 in 10. Some.unimportant, short timber bridges carry the road at
several points across dry river beds. Four kilometers north of Simitli, the
road crosses the Struma River on a steel trestle bridge 2.5 meters wide and 25
meters long. Five'hundred meters farther south, a wooden bridge marked 14 tons
crosses the Stara River, a tributary of the Struma. Simitli is entered after
crossing the standard-gauge main line railway.
The Road Bridge across the Struma River at Simitli
v? Slmitli lies at the junction of two major roads, as followss
a. The road linking Sofia with the Greek frontier via Dupnitsa and Gorna
Dznaya; and
b. The road via Razlog (N 41-53, E 23-29) which penetrates into the center of
the mountainous region of southwest Bulgaria.
25X1
SECRET)
Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA003600140005-2
 Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA003600140005-2
SECRET
-3-
8. The two roads are joined by a "through" type of steel lattice girder fridge
spanning the Struna River. The bridge consists of four equal sectionssc,
nice g':, resting (apart from the abutments at either end) on three
massive masonry piers standing in the river bed. The bridge 'is 3.S meters
wide and therefore can accommodate only one-way truck traffic. The height
above water level is estimated at six meters.
9. The bridge has every appearance of being in good condition. Although no sentry
is posted on the bridges one or two Militiamen are usually in evidence somewhere
in the vicinity of either end.
25X1 Comment: Unless otherwise indicated., all distances out of Sofia are
measures rom' he southwest exit of the Sofia suburb of Knyazhevo (N L2-L0s
E 23-15), that is, from a point seven kilometers from the city center of Sofia.
3ECRETJ
Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA003600140005-2