THE NIKOPOL-KNEZHA ROAD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005600640006-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 23, 2007
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 14, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005600640006-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
ing of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793
and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in..,
an manner to an unauthorised person is prohibited
SECRET -- U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
COUNTRY Bulgaria
SUIUECT The Nikopol-Knezha Road
This is UNEVALUATED
Information
DATE DISTR. 14 January 1955
NO. OF PAGES 4
25X1
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS RETORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. The first five kilometers of the Nikopol-Knezha Road has the following
characteristics-.
a. Width., four meters;
b. Surfaces crushed stone., badly rutted;
c. Shoulder., narrow, not suitable vehicles;
d. Levels parallel with south bank of Danube at distance of five meters;
e. Danube to north., steep cliff on south side of road; and
f. Heavy going after rain.
2. Road Junction at N 43-42, E 24-51:
a. Main road to Debovo goes south, Gigen road runs west via bridge across Osma
river; and
b. Bridges length, 30 meters (overall); single span; roadway, 5 meters wide; deck
type steel lattice girder, stone abutments built out from river bank; probably
unlimited suitability; water beneath, 10 meters wide; steep earth banks four
meters high; dry river bed., overgrown with grass on both sides of watercourse.
3. Five to Six kilometers:
4.
a. Widths five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone, badly rutted;
c. Shoulder, one meter wide, earth flush;
d. Runs southwest along embankment to Cherkovitsa; and
e. Flat marshy ground on both sides., vehicles cannot leave road.
Six (Cherkovitsao N 43-41, E 24-49) to seven kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
b. Surface, crushed stone, badly rutted; and
c. Shoulder, two meters wide, earth flush.
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X ARMY I X I NAVY I X I AIR J .X I FBI AEC
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Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005600640006-7
 Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP80-00810A005600640006-7
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5. Seven to 12 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone, good condition;
c. Shoulder, one meter wide, earth flush;
d. Straight, climbing gradually towards Somovit; and
e. Open plains, no cover.
6. 12 (Somovit: N 43-41, E 24-46) to 15 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone, good condition;
c. Shoulder, one meter wide, earth flush;
d. Enters Somovit along river bank approximately 100 meters above level of river;
sharp drop on right; descends into village in series of hairpin curves; leaves
village southwest, parallel with rail sidings;
e. Vehicles cannot leave road except over last kilometer; and
f. Five-track rail sidings and about 50 tank wagons in village; two turret cranes
on river bank.
7. 15 to 16 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone, good condition;
c. Shoulder, one meter wide, earth flush;
d. Straight and level; and
e. Flat open country, no cover, railway and river Vit on right.
8. 16 (Dolni Vit, formerly Shamlievo: N 43-409 E 24-45) to 18 kilometers:
a. Surface, crushed stone (chalk), badly potholed; and
be Shoulder, one meter wide, earth flush.
9. 18 to 21 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
b. Surface, crushed stone (chalk), badly potholed;
c. Shoulder, one meter wide, earth flush;
d. Winding, no sharp curves, gradual ascent; and
e. Flat open fields on right, hills on left, no cover.
10. 21 (Milkovitsa, formerly Gradeshti: N 43-389 E 24-45) to 23 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone and earth, very muddy;
c. Shoulder, three meters wide, earth flush, mud; and
d. Fork east for Gulyantsi.
11. 23 to 26 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone (chalk), fair condition;
c. Shoulder, one meter wide, earth flush;
d. Fairly straight and level, cross single track relay at 25 kilometers; and
e. Flat open fields, no cover.
12. 26 (Gulyantsi: N 43-38, E 24-41) to 28 kilometers:
a. Width, six meters;
be Surface, paved, good condition;
c. Shoulder, two meters wide, earth flush; and
d. Bridge across river at entrance to village.
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13.. Bridge at Gulyantsi:
a. Length: 80 meters (overall);
be Arches: two (?) 40 meters;
co Roadway: five meters wide;
d. Deck t pe steel lattice girder, stone abutments built out of river banks,
one (?f stone pier) paved surface, built 1947;
e. -Probably unlimited vehicles;
f. Water beneath:.15 meters wide;
g. Gently sloping earth, banks; ~ and
he Clearance: six to eight meters.
14. 28 to 34 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone (chalk), bad condition;
c. Shoulders, one meter wide, earth flush;
d. Fairly straight, climbing slightly towards Brest; crushed stone (for repairs)
along roadside; and
e. Flat fields on right, low hills on. left, no cover.
15. 34 (Brest: N 43-38, E 24-35).to 37 kilometers:
a. Width, eight meters;
be Surface, mud;
c. Road indistinguishable from shoulders; and
d. Heavy vehicles likely to become bogged down in winter.
16. 37 to 46 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone, potholes and thick mud over first four kilometers,
remainder is fair;
co Shoulder, one meter wide, earth;
d. Fairly straight, gradual ascent over last three kilometers;
e. Open, rolling country, no cover; and
f. Heavy vehicles likely to become bogged down in winter.
17? 45 (Gigen: N 43-42, E 24-29) to 49 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone (chalk), some potholes; and
c. Shoulder, two meters wide, earth flush.
18. 49 to 59 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
be Surface, crushed stone (chalk) over first kilometer, otherwise mud;
c. Shoulders indistinguishable from road;
d. Bridge over Iskur at 50.5 kilometers (length: 150 meters, overall; arches: four,
each 40 meters; roadway: six meters wide, normal sidewalks, both sides; reinforced
concrete arch, paved surface; probably unlimited vehicles; water beneath: 20 meters
wide; clearance: approximately 10 meters; no further detaile);
e. Flat marshy country to left, low hills on right, difficult to leave road; and
f. Practically impassable after rain.
19. 59 (Krushovene: N 43-39, E 24-24) to 61 kilometers:
a. Width, eight meters;
be Surface, mud and water; and
c. Shoulders indistinguishable from road.
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61 to 68 kilometers:
a. Width, five meters;
b. Surface, red sandstone, potholed and under water in places;
c. Shoulder, one meter wide, earth flush;
d.' Fairly straight and level;
e. Flat marshy country on left, low hills on right; vehicles can leave road at
some points; and
f. Practically impassable after rain.
21.
68 (Bregare: N 1j3-36, E.2L-20) to 69 kilometers:
22.
a. Width, eight meter
b. Surface, mud and w
c. Shoulders, none se
d. Practically impass
69 to 72 kilometers:
s;
ater;
en; and
able after rain.
a. Width, five meters;
b. Surface, crushed-stone, potholed and very muddy;
c. Shoulders, one meter wide, earth flush;
d. Straight and level;
e. Flat marshy country on left, low hills on right; vehicles can leave road at
some points; and
f. Heavy going after rain.
23. 72 (Stavertsi: N 143-34, E 24-17) to 74 kilometers:
a. Width, eight meters;
b. Surface, mud and water;
c. Shoulders, none seen; ^nd
d. Heavy going after rain.
2b. 74 to 91. kilometers (Knezha: N 43-29, E 21i.-0b):
a. Width, five meters;
b. Surface, red sandstone, fair condition, some potholes;
c. Shoulder, one to two meters wide, earth flush;
d. Fairly straight, mild grades over some stretches, crushed stone (for repairs)
along entire road;
e. Open country, no cover; some low hills, small river on left; and
f. Suitable all vehicles.
SECRET -- U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
,~, Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-
RDP80-00810A005600640006-7