The bridge over the Sava near Gradiska, on the future highway Banja Luka – Zagreb, was connected yesterday on the side of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Croatia. The main event will be held on the BiH side and the protocol announced a solemn meeting in the middle of the bridge at noon.
Our delegation was led by Vojin Mitrovic, the line minister, while the Croatian delegation will be led by Oleg Butkovic, the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure of Croatia.
The Communications Department of the European Union (EU)Office in BiH said that this interstate bridge is one of the most important projects on the Sava River, which will enable a vital traffic connection between BiH and Croatia, as well as connect BiH with the European highway network.
“This is a significant project within the Connection Agenda, with the aim of improving infrastructure connections in the Western Balkans, as well as with the EU. The Gradiska bridge is one of 13 investment grants approved by the EU as part of a basic road network worth more than 225 million euros. The EU will continue to actively support this project and the development of Corridor 5c, thus encouraging regional cooperation and better connections with the EU, ” they emphasized, adding that the ceremony will be attended by Stefano Ellero, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation.
To recall, the bridge is being built in such a way that half of the costs of around 19 million euros are borne by Croatia and BiH, and Croatia is obliged to build another road to Okucani. The Croatian part of the bridge and connecting roads is mostlyfinanced from EU funds, and for the bridge, BiH got a 3.2million-euro grant from the EU. The bridge will be 426 meters long, 22.6 meters wide, and will have two traffic lanes in each direction.
E.Dz.
