The project of the section of Corridor 5C on the territory of the RS was applied a year ago and it has already been approved on several occasions, but most likely the implementation will be approved several times more on forums such as the one in Trieste, and that is a common practice,” said director of the company Autoputevi RS, Dusan Topic.
“We are ready, the project is already prepared, the project documentation is ready as well, the process of expropriation is currently taking place, as well as talks with the EBRD regarding the loan for this section in the amount of 70 million EUR and an additional grant as the support to this project since it is part of the Corridor 5C, in the amount of 20 % of the approved amount,” said Topic and added that the grant does not include those 70 million EUR, but if it is approved, the loan will be corrected or reduced to 56 million EUR.
Topic expects the signing of an agreement with the EBRD to take place by the end of the year, as well as the tender procedure and the selection of contractors to be executed, and the works can be expected in the spring of next year.
“When it comes to the European Commission, there will be no corrections or problems because this is a section on the Corridor 5C, which represents an absolute priority for the European Commission as well as for us, especially since it is the first part of Corridor 5C that will pass through the RS,” stated Topic.
When it comes to the highway section “9 January” from Banja Luka to Prnjavor in a length of 36 kilometers, its release can be expected by the end of the year as well, but everything depends on the weather conditions in the upcoming winter and how much work they will be able to do during the winter months, said Topic.
“However, we had some additional requests for contractors as well as some additional works, and it will not be a surprise if the release is moved for spring, and we are planning to release the first 10 kilometers by the end of this summer, including a loop as a link to the main road,” concluded Topic.
(Source: M. Travar/Klix.ba)
