In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 138 kilometers of highway were built, but we did not stop there because we managed to ensure continuity in the implementation of large infrastructure projects. So, we are halfway through Corridor 5C through the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is also the longest with the most demanding terrain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said the director of the Public Company Autoceste FBiH Denis Lasić.
Seven construction sites currently
“Currently, we have seven construction sites where work is being carried out with a total length of 55 kilometers, which includes sections: Putnikovo Brdo – Medakovo, Medakovo – Ozimice, Poprikuše – Nemila, Nemila – Vranduk, Vranduk – Ponirak, Ponirak – Vraca, and the Kvanj tunnel – Buna”, he said and continued:
“We are in a big investment cycle when it comes to new infrastructure contracts. Everything is ready for the signing of the contract on the construction of an important subdivision in the transport connection of Mostar and all of Herzegovina with the highway on Corridor 5C. It is definitely the Mostar south subdivision – the Kvanj tunnel with a length of 9.2 km. For this subsection, all the additional requirements of the local population and associations that they requested from the EBRD were met, and related to additional tests and assessments of the impact of the selected route on the environment and the population, additional documentation was publicly presented at the end of October. When the work on this subsection starts, around 30 kilometers of highway will be under construction in Herzegovina, including the Tunnel Kvanj – Buna subsection, the construction of which has already been signed, and the Mostar North – Mostar South subsection, for which the contract will be signed in the second quarter of 2025. “.
From Bradina to Sava
He pointed out that the plan is to complete the highway from Sarajevo, i.e. Bradina to the end point on the Sava, by the end of 2026.
“On that part, 50 kilometers of the highway are under construction, and for now all the deadlines have been agreed for the completion of this traffic direction as well,” said Lasić.
He emphasized that much more work remains to be done on the southern part of Corridor 5C.
“In the next period, the construction of the highway through Herzegovina will be intensified the most, which is one of the priorities, all with the aim of connecting with Croatia and the European road network. Tenders for the most complex sections such as the Prenj Tunnel and Mostar North – Mostar South are in the final phase, and the defined deadlines for selecting contractors and awarding contracts are the first and second quarter of next year 2025. On the Mostar North – Mostar South section, two loops of the Mostar North and Mostar South motorways will be built, as well as a 15-kilometer route between these two loops and for the construction of a two-lane road connecting these loops with the existing M-17 highway. “Dionca should have five tunnels and ten viaducts on each of the two roads,” he said.
He says that the Prenj tunnel is a key part of the entire Corridor 5C.
“It represents a technical challenge, and more importantly, it will reduce travel time and improve connectivity.
The Prenj tunnel, which will be built on the highway section between Konjic and Mostar, is the longest tunnel on Corridor 5C, the ninth longest tunnel in Europe and the 30th longest tunnel in the world. More precisely, its length will be 10.9 kilometers”, adds Lasić.
The welfare of citizens and the economy
Continued investment in Corridor 5C is a priority that will ensure modern transport links connecting the country with the region and the EU for the benefit of citizens and the economy.
“We have mobilized resources and technical capacities to speed up the works. From a global point of view, we have a closed financial construction for all sections that are under construction and for those for which we plan to open new construction sites soon. Therefore, we are facing a strong investment cycle in the next few years that will completely change the traffic landscape of our country. It is inevitable to emphasize the significant increase in the price of raw materials and the price of labor compared to the past 20 years, when the construction of the highway on Corridor 5C began. Of course, there are also external factors that the FBiH Highways have no influence on, such as war activities, epidemics, price movements at the global level of contractors’ offers, and the like”, he emphasizes.
He points out that there is always a risk, but that it is very important to reduce the risk to a minimum with our business practices.
“Conscientious and responsible business keeps us in a safe zone. However, there is no progress without business-acceptable risk. We continue with the implementation of the started projects, and we will also start the new ones that I have already mentioned. In 2025, we will complete and open nearly 26 new kilometers. Specifically, in the north, we are finishing and opening Putnikovo Brdo – Medakovo (8.5 km near Tešnj) and part of the highway from Stara stanica to Golubinja (10 km near Zenica), and in the south Buna – Počitelj (7.2 km)”. he says.
Golubinja tunnel ends
He mentioned the most important project that is being completed, which is the Golubinja tunnel.
“It is located between Zenica and Žepč and is 3.6 kilometers long and is currently the longest road tunnel being built in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will significantly shorten the journey from Sarajevo to the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina because it will avoid going around the hills, i.e. driving through the canyon of the Bosna River. In the coming year, we will open the construction site for the last subdivision in the north, Ozimice – Poprikuše. The construction of a highway is not only a demanding construction project, but also a significant economic boost for our country. As much as it seems to us that the highway on Corridor 5C is being built slowly, this project is one of the few that is progressing day by day”, concluded Lasić.
Source: Focus
