CLOSED STREETS
A number of key streets and boulevards in Sofia will be closed for repairs in the first two weeks of July, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on behalf of Sofia’s police directorate. The streets include Sofia’s ring road, Ami Bue, Strahil Voyvoda and 202nd streets, as well as Simeonovsko Chaussee boulevard. The restriction on trucks carrying concrete on Tsarigradsko Chaussee, Peyo Yavorov, Nikola Vaptsarov, Dragan Tsankov and Cherni Vruh boulevards, as well as Sveti Naum street, remains in place.

SECOND CRITICAL MASS
The second event of the type Critical Mass took place in Sofia on June 27, when about 50 cyclists gathered at Ariana Lake at 6.30pm and rode their bicycles on the city streets. Since 1992 the flash mob of cyclists known as Critical Mass gather on the last Friday of the month in many cities worldwide. Their aim is to have local authorities construct a more bicycle-friendly infrastructure.

CONSTRUCTION BAN
After residents protested against the widespread construction in Studentski Grad (Students’ town) borough, Sofia mayor Boiko Borissov and chief architect Petar Dikov revealed plans to issue an ordinance to ban further construction in the area, with ongoing construction set to stop completely within a few weeks, Bulgarian-language daily Monitor reported on June 30. A random check in Studentski Grad showed that there were about 60 projects under construction and just as many planned to begin in the near future. According to Borissov, the city hall would ban construction in other Sofia boroughs as well.

EXPENSIVE TICKETS
On July 1, the pirce of tickets for a single trip in Sofia’s public transportation rose from 0.70 leva to one lev, marking a record 43 per cent increase. Sofia residents can exchange old tickets for new during the month of July either at Vuzrazhdane 1 square or at 84 Maria Luisa boulevard, two of the offices of Sofia Public Transport Company in the city. New tickets would be issued after payment of the difference of 0.30 leva, Sofia municipality said on June 27.

PARKING FINES
Almost four months after the Sofia municipal inspectorate started to check and fine car owners for parking on  sidewalks, chief inspector Veska Georgieva said that the first fines would be sent out over the next two weeks. Between 3000 and 4000 drivers were expected to receive fines, Bulgarian-language webite zagrada.bg reported on June 26. Fines would be given for cars parked less than two metres from buildings.