The first vehicles will pass through tunnel “Karaula”, in one of the most difficult passes in the country, in August, as confirmed by Mirsad Dizdarevic, a representative of the investor of the project, “Roads of the FBiH”. According to the annex of the contract, the deadline for the opening of the tunnel, which will shorten the distance between Sarajevo and Tuzla by 3, 5 kilometers, is the 15th of July, but it is already clear that the deadline will be extended for additional 15 days. The reasons are the complexity of the terrain and the unpredictability of the construction of retaining walls.
“Physical works will be completed, but we will not be able to start with realization and preparation of technical acceptance because there are still some things that we need to complete according to European standards of construction,” said Dizdarevic.
The construction of reinforced concrete retaining walls is currently taking place. Kladanj side is completed, and now they are working on the walls on Olovo side.
“Now we should do finishing works on the road, and the second phase will be paving. After that will follow equipping of tunnel, installations, ventilation … Lighting is done, now will follow painting of the tunnel and paving the passage through the tunnel,” stated Dizdarevic.
With the opening of the tunnel “Karaula”, traffic on the main road should take place more quickly. So far, the exploitation speed was very low, between 35 and 45 km/h. This was especially pronounced with trucks that were causing the accumulation of vehicles, reducing the level of services and affected the safety of vehicles.
In the first phase were constructed two bridges of 140 and 145 meters, and the works with a total value of 4.7 million BAM, were completed in 2014.
The second phase involved the construction of the tunnel “Karaula” with a total length of 902 meters and the route in front and behind it. The total length of the tunnel is 2 kilometers, and the value of contracted works, including equipment in the tunnel, amounted to 24.2 million BAM.
The total value of the first phase of the works amounted to 4,744,523 BAM.
The construction of the tunnel “Karaula”, which is the second phase of the works, cost 24,257,083 BAM.
(Source: E. Trako/avaz.ba)
