Hardly a day goes by without huge lines of vehicles forming on the M-17 highway between Sarajevo and Mostar near Konjic. Large crowds on this section of the main road are caused by traffic lights at the central intersection in Konjic.
For a long time there has been a solution to move transit traffic through Konjic. It is in the form of a conceptual project in JP Autoceste FBiH.
Columns near Konjic have a solution, but the project is at a standstill due to blocked loans
Due to the overall situation in JP Autoceste FBiH, which refers to blocked loans caused by suspicion of corruption, this project is also on hold.
JP Autocesta FBiH sent an act based on the proxy question of the representative in the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament, in which they explain what is going on with this project. As they stated, the preparation of project documentation is in the final stage, while the conceptual design is fully completed. The development of the main project, as they state, has been completed to the extent of approximately 80 percent.
It is about the project of JP Highways FBiH “Southern Bypass Konjica”, which is an integral part of the future section of the Ovčari highway – entrance to the Prenj tunnel (Corridor 5C). It is a 3.5-kilometer-long interchange that connects the M-17 highway with the interchange that will connect the future highway at this location.
What will the new ring road look like?
“This bypass will enable traffic on the M-17 highway to directly access the highway without entering the urban area of Konjica. The Konjička bypass begins by turning off the highway via the Ovčari interchange. After that, the highway passes the next 100 m of embankment and reaches the first viaduct 80 meters long. After the viaduct, it enters an 800-meter long tunnel,” the description of the project documents states.
After exiting the tunnel, the route continues for about 500 m through embankments and another 500 m through a cut with the highest point of about 30 m. The next 200 m of the route passes through embankments and cuttings and reaches a 350-meter-long bridge that crosses the existing Sarajevo-Capljina railway, the Neretva river and the M17 highway. After 200 m, the Konjička bypass joins the M-17 highway.
When it comes to the Prenj tunnel project itself, otherwise the capital and most expensive project on the entire section of the highway (Corridor 5C), the JP Autocesta FBiH state that the pre-construction has been completed, and urban planning approval has been obtained. They state that all necessary investigative and preparatory activities have been carried out.
American investments and the Prenj tunnel mega-project
JP Autocesta FBiH states that activities related to the implementation of tender procedures, including the selection of supervision, are underway. After that, they say, it is expected to end the selection procedure of the contractor.
It should be emphasized that the Prenj tunnel, which should cost around 1.2 billion KM, should be financed with EIB and EBRD loans.
Considering that there is a standstill in lending due to the corruption observed in other stocks, American investments were imposed as a solution. The American construction giant Bechtel, which Fokus wrote about, has expressed interest in this project, he says Focus.
