WE WILL OPEN ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES, MODERN AND SAFE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOAL

BANJA LUKA, DECEMBER 20 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Minister of Transport and Communications Zoran Stevanović says Republika Srpska must have modern, safe, and functional transport infrastructure, highlighting the construction of motorway sections, more than 300 road routes, and over 35 kilometers of bypass roads.

“This is a strong investment cycle that demonstrates the Government and the Ministry’s commitment to invest in modern, safe, and functional road infrastructure,” Stevanović said in SRNA interview with SRNA marking the Government’s first 100 days in office. Speaking about major projects, Stevanović noted that construction has been intensified on the Rača–Bijeljina, Banja Luka–Prijedor, Brčko–Bijeljina, and Vukosavlje–Brčko sections. He emphasized that 96 percent of the expropriated land has been handed over on the Banja Luka–Prijedor motorway section, enabling work along almost the entire route. He added that the Rača–Bijeljina motorway section is a strategic objective and represents the foundation of infrastructure connectivity between Republika Srpska and Serbia. “We are closely monitoring the construction of the Bijeljina–Rača section in terms of work dynamics and the removal of administrative, technical, and field-related challenges. An important step was the issuance of the construction permit, which removed administrative obstacles and enabled the continuation of work on this section without delays,” Stevanović said. The line minister revealed that work is underway on the implementation of more than 300 kilometers of regional and main roads, as well as over 35 kilometers of bypass roads throughout Republika Srpska. He says that activities have been launched on the implementation of the Bijeljina–Zvornik expressway project, noting that special importance is attached to connecting this road with the Bijeljina–Rača motorway, as well as a second branch via the Pavlović Bridge that will connect to the same route. Regarding Corridor Vc and the Putnikovo Brdo tunnel, he says that during regular meetings with project participants it has been clearly emphasized that obstacles must be removed. He pointed out that there are certain technical challenges and a need to change construction technology at some locations, and that the route passes through the Federation of BiH, which has not yet provided the necessary construction permit, causing additional delays beyond the jurisdiction of Republika Srpska. “Despite this, work with contractors and supervising body has been intensified in order to speed up the project and bring it to completion. Republika Srpska remains fully committed to the project implementation and is taking all necessary steps to ensure that construction continues,” Stevanović stressed. He highlighted that in the first 100 days of the Government’s work, for the first time in several decades, the issue of financing the Foča–Šćepan Polje road section has finally been resolved. As he explained, this includes a complete reconstruction of the critical section, construction of an interstate bridge over the Tara River, and more than 15 kilometers of access roads from Hum to Brod na Drini. “The funds have been earmarked through a financial package agreed with the World Bank and the EBRD, with full coordination of the relevant institutions involved in the project,” Stevanović emphasized.