The deadline for the construction of this highway is set for the end of 2025.
The construction of the Bijeljina – Raca highway is the largest project funded by the governments of Republika Srpska (RS) and Serbia. This project will benefit not only the citizens and businesses of Semberija and Majevica but also those in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH).
The Raca – Bijeljina highway section is an integral part of the future Banja Luka – Bijeljina – Belgrade highways, as well as the Sarajevo – Belgrade highway. The 20-kilometer section is financed by the governments of RS and Serbia.
“So far, we have invested the majority of funds ourselves from RS Motorways and the Government of RS. Of course, Serbia has invested around 10 million euros, and we expect another donation of 10 million euros for the construction of this section,” said Nedeljko Coric, director of RS Motorways.
Negotiations are ongoing with a bank to finance the section from Bijeljina to Brcko. Preparatory work is underway on the Brcko – Vukosavlje section.
The benefits will not be felt only by the citizens. Without modern roads, there is no economic development.
Zoran Skrebic, president of the Union of Employers of RS, says that this highway towards Belgrade will help reduce congestion, especially during the summer period, as it is a key route for traffic from the east, particularly Turkey, to Western Europe, and it is very busy.
A bridge is also being built over the Sava River, connecting Sremska Raca and Raca, linking BiH and Serbia.
Milorad Dodik, president of RS, emphasized that this highway changes the character of the region and is very significant.
“This is the largest investment that Bijeljina has ever had. The road costs 258 million BAM, and RS has already paid 100 million BAM of its own funds for the construction of the section,” he stressed.
The bridge over the Sava River was financed by the Government of Serbia. An integrated border crossing will be built in Serbia. The deadline for the construction of the highway through Semberija is the end of 2025, Biznis Info writes.
E.Dz.