“Today we are laying the foundation stone not only for a motorway, but for a faster, safer and better-connected Macedonia with its neighbours, the region and Europe. With the commencement of the Skopje–Blace motorway construction, from Stenkovec Interchange to Blace Border Crossing that is approximately 10.5 kilometres long, we are taking a significant step towards completing this strategic regional transport link. The selection of Granit as the contractor has enabled the launch of this long-awaited project. This investment is particularly important as it will strengthen connectivity with the Port of Durrës, with Albania, Montenegro and Serbia via Kosovo,” said Koce Trajanovski, Director of the Public Enterprise for State Roads, at today’s foundation-stone-laying ceremony marking the start of construction of Phase II of the Skopje–Blace motorway.

Trajanovski further noted that financing has been secured through a €167.6 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a €30.82 million grant from the Western Balkans Investment Framework, funds from the Public Enterprise for State Roads’ budget for expropriation, as well as grant funding for the designers, Hill International and ADT Omega.

In his speech, Trajanovski also referred to the technical characteristics of the motorway, which will comprise two carriageways, each with two traffic lanes and an emergency stopping lane, with a total width of approximately 27.5 metres. He added: “This is the technically most complex and most challenging motorway, which over a short distance of just 10.5 km will feature numerous tunnels, viaducts, bridges and galleries and will be a challenge for both the designers and the contractors. Due to the complex hilly and mountainous terrain, the project envisages the construction of five tunnels with left and right tubes, eight bridges, 11 underpasses, four galleries and nine retaining walls. Construction is scheduled to take four years. The Skopje–Blace motorway will reduce travel times, increase safety and lower vehicle maintenance costs, while the existing road will continue to serve as an alternative route for local residents and other road users,” said Koce Trajanovski, Director of the Public Enterprise for State Roads, which is the lead entity responsible for the motorway construction project.

The ceremony was attended by the Prime Ministers of Macedonia and Kosovo, Hristijan Mickoski and Albin Kurti, along with the respective Ministers of Transport, as well as numerous other politicians, government officials, Members of Parliament, ambassadors and directors.