The construction of the Herzegovina Bridge, part of the section connecting Pocitelj in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with the Bijaca border crossing, was delayed by two years. The section received a construction permit back in 2016. However, tenders failed several times, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, and there were cracks in the bridge. Nonetheless, the section was finally opened, and the director of the Motorways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) announced the signing of new contracts.
Out of the planned 337 kilometers, around 140 kilometers of the highway have been built so far, with construction ongoing for almost two decades. Denis Lasic claims that everything could be completed by 2030.
In the north, 50 kilometers are currently under construction from Vranduk through Nemila to Poprikuse.
The section from Ozimica to Poprikuse is awaiting the start of construction, while work is also being carried out from Ozimice through Medakovo to Putnikovo Brdo.
In the south, there is still no interest in the Konjic – Ovcari section, which will be one of the most complex projects due to the terrain’s configuration. There is also the 12-kilometer-long Prenj tunnel, the biggest challenge as no one knows what conditions might be encountered there. The total estimated value of the works exceeds one billion BAM.
The last month of this year has been set as the deadline for awarding the contract for the construction works.
The Federal Parliament confirmed in its last session the decision regarding the section Mostar North – Mostar South, specifically the approval of a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) amounting to 220 million euros, which secures funding for the continuation of construction of an additional 15 kilometers. Despite the optimism, it should be noted that this section does not yet have an urban planning permit.
On the other hand, the 7.2 kilometers of the Buna – Pocitelj section, built long ago, remain a dead-end for now. However, that could soon change.
Corridor Vc is part of a pan-European corridor connecting Budapest with the Adriatic Sea at Ploce, with nearly half of the route passing through BiH, N1 writes.
