The Pocitelj Bridge has been repaired, but the exact date of reopening to traffic is still unknown. According to the Public Company Motorways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the longest bridge of the Vc corridor should be opened by the beginning of the summer season.
Motorways of FBiH remind that during the execution of works on prestressing, damage (appearance of cracks) occurred on the lower plate of segment 15, between the pillars S3 and S4 of the Pocitelj bridge.
In technical terms, according to performed analyses, it was shown that minor changes in the geometry of the cables can lead to significant increases in tensile stress in the concrete. Irregularities in the positioning of cable pipes during construction created radial torsional forces that could lead to problems or the appearance of cracks of a local nature.
After the work to eliminate deficiencies, the bridge was restored to its designed condition, meaning it has the same load-bearing capacity, usability, and durability as envisaged by the main project, Motorways of FBiH added.
The plan is to open the Pocitelj – Zvirovici section, which includes the aforementioned Pocitelj bridge, to traffic by the beginning of the summer season, after which BiH will gain an additional 11 kilometers of motorway on the Vc corridor.
Regarding the continuation of the construction of the Vc corridor in its southern part, the plan is for construction works to start by the end of this year on the Mostar South – Kvanj Tunnel and Kvanj Tunnel – Buna sections.
In addition to these sections, construction works will also commence this year on the Mostar North – Mostar South section in Herzegovina, as well as the construction of the most complex structure on the entire corridor, the Prenj Tunnel.
The start of works on these sections will bring about 40 km of active construction sites, Motorways of FBiH announced.
E.Dz.
