Cracks spread as metro construction shakes Sofia building

Residents living near metro construction in Sofia’s Slatina neighborhood have discovered cracks forming in their apartment buildings as excavation work continues on the third line extension. Nikolai Narizhin, a geodesist monitoring the situation for several months, observed expanding fissures in the ground near his building after similar damage appeared at the 93rd school one week earlier. The school sits adjacent to the metro excavation at Geo Milev and Kopernik streets, where a tunnel boring machine will soon begin operations.

Building owners report visible structural damage, with one resident noting the staircase has separated from the main structure. Narizhin used surveying equipment to detect slight tilting toward the trench, prompting residents to contact construction regulators. Officials at Metropolitan assure the public that slotted wall reinforcements following the Milan construction method provide adequate stability. The transit authority measured only two millimeters of movement in September, which falls within acceptable margins of error.

Benchmarks and geodetic markers were installed on all affected structures before excavation started, according to Metropolitan representatives. Despite these technical assurances, area residents remain skeptical as they watch daily construction activity directly outside their windows, with some reporting anxiety over nighttime noises from the worksite.