Agreements with the World Bank were signed today at the Finance Ministry on 83 million euros loan for construction of the Expressway Rankovce – Kriva Palanka
Loan Agreement and Guarantee Agreement were signed by Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr. Zoran Stavreski, Acting Country Manager of the World Bank Office in Macedonia Ms. Bojana Naceva, and Director of the Public Enterprise for State Roads Mr. Aleksandar Stojanov. The Agreements signing ceremony was also attended by Vice Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mr. Vladimir Peshevski and Minister of Transport and Communications Mr. Vlado Misajlovski.

Photo: MIA

– The signing of this Agreement means that the Expressway from Rankovce to Kriva Palanka will become a reality. This road is of a great importance not only for the residents of the northeastern part of Macedonia, but also for all citizens travelling to Bulgaria, because a new modern two-lane road will be built that will provide for safer and faster traffic flow, said Vice Prime Minister Stavreski after the signing.
Minister Stavreski emphasized that the implementation of this project results from the successful cooperation with the World Bank.
WB Acting Country Manager Ms. Bojana Naceva said the project was planned with the World Bank Strategy on road infrastructure in the Republic of Macedonia because of the road network significance for the country’s growth and competitiveness.
– By investing in its road infrastructure Macedonia will ensure better connectivity to regional markets, and will become a more attractive destination for investors.
According to Vice Prime Minister Vladimir Peshevski, the Agreement represents a continuation of the infrastructure expansion in the Republic of Macedonia.
– This road will improve the trading conditions, facilitate the transport of people goods, and improve conditions for tourism development not only for this region’s residents, but for all citizens of Macedonia, in particular those who had neglected the economic relations with the East, said Peshevski.
Transport and Communications Minister Vlado Misajlovski emphasized that this project of the Government represented a continuation of the construction of high-quality infrastructure.
– This is supported by the fact that three new motorways in total length of 156km and over 800 million euros worth are currently under construction. Within one month only, we started the construction of 5 regional roads in total length of 155km and 10 million euros worth, said Misajlovski, adding that, either this or no later than the next month, rehabilitation of another six regional roads will begin.
Director of the Public Enterprise for State Roads Aleksandar Stojanov clarified that the new modern 26km long road that will be constructed will be from 11.4 to 12.5 meters wide. – This road, he said, is divided into two sections: one from Kriva Palanka to Globochica, and another from Globochica to Stracin. Along the road there will be 22 bridges, 9 overpasses, 13 culverts and 2 interchanges.
The road construction is planned to begin next spring and to be completed in three years’ time, i.e. by end 2019.