The newly opened Herzegovina Bridge has been one of the most discussed topics in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in recent days. Questions like who built it and who will officially open it this week have overshadowed more significant aspects, such as what this bridge means for the country’s transportation infrastructure, economy, and its connection with the European Union (EU). The Herzegovina Bridge is a key point on the highway being constructed along Corridor Vc, which passes through BiH, linking it to the European transport network. The bridge is part of the Pocitelj-Zvirovici section, which spans 11.07 kilometers and connects both banks of the Neretva River.
Corridor Vc has been a widely discussed topic for years. It begins in Budapest, passes through northern Croatia (Osijek), and goes through BiH via Doboj, Zenica, Sarajevo, and Mostar, ending at the port of Ploce.
Here, we present the construction of one of the region’s largest bridges in numbers.
How was it built and financed?
The total cost of building the bridge, which is nearly one kilometer long (945 meters) and over 100 meters high, amounted to 32.894.420.75 euros, including VAT. The construction was carried out by a consortium including Azvirt Limited Liability Company, Sinohydro Corporation Limited, and Powerchina Roadbridge Group Co. Ltd, with oversight provided by IRD Engineering S.R.L. The construction was financed through a loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and non-refundable grants from the EU, secured as part of the Connectivity Agenda through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). According to the EU Delegation to BiH, the opened Pocitelj-Zvirovici subsection, in addition to the Herzegovina Bridge, includes 11.7 kilometers of highway, the Pocitelj interchange with toll booths and access roads, a regional junction, three viaducts, and a tunnel. This project is funded by a 5 million euro grant from the EU and a 105 million euro loan from the EIB intended for the entire 21-kilometer Pocitelj-Bijaca section. The project is part of the broader EU engagement in developing Corridor Vc, with 870 million euros in grants already provided through the WBIF, financing 17 subsections and project preparation throughout BiH.
How much material was used and why did repairs have to be made?
The bridge is a prestressed reinforced concrete box girder bridge, built using the balanced cantilever method. It is unique in that all four highway lanes are on a single structure. The bridge required 38.000 cubic meters of concrete, 9.000 tons of reinforcement, 1.500 tons of prestressing cables, and 20.000 square meters of asphalt and waterproofing. Construction began after the contract was signed on June 20th, 2019, but it did not proceed without challenges. The bottom slab of the fourth span of the bridge had cracked and was repaired in February of this year. A load test was conducted on August 7th, 2023. The test involved 12 trucks, each weighing 40 tons, in cooperation with experts from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Geodesy at the University of Mostar. The load test was performed at targeted points on the structure while in motion.
While it was being built, it was called “Pocitelj Bridge”, and then it got its official name
During construction, the bridge was referred to as the “Pocitelj Bridge” or “Pociteljski Bridge.” However, it officially received its name, “Herzegovina,” by a decision from the Board of Directors of the Motorways of the Federation of BiH (FBiH) at one of their meetings earlier this year. The Pocitelj-Zvirovici subsection connects to the previously completed Medjugorje-Bijaca section, which is 10 kilometers long, Forbes writes.
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