The construction of the Ivan Tunnel, part of the A1 motorway, is currently in the preparatory phase and digging of the tunnel is expected to start soon.
“Access roads to the tunnel portals have been constructed, and excavation and temporary portal foreclosure work are underway in the area of the exit portal, the FBiH Motorways told FENA.
The Ivan Tunnel, located on the section of the Tarčin-Konjic highway, will be a dual tube tunnel with two lanes and will pass through the mountain pass Ivan Sedlo. The total length of the right tunnel tube is 1,721 m, while the left tunnel tube is 1,761 m long and will be positioned below the existing Ivan Tunnel on the M-17 main road. The altitude at this location is in the range of 500 to 1,020 m, and the maximum height above the tunnel structure is about 200 m.
According to the FBiH Motorways, it is planned to make the tunnel according to the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), as the most modern tunnel excavation method. Upon exiting the tunnel, the section is connected to existing main road M 17 via temporary connecting road, which marks the end of this section.
The value of the contract for construction of the Ivan Tunnel is secured through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the amount of EUR 50 million and European Union grants in the amount of EUR 11.4 million provided under the Connectivity Agenda through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.
