In line with national development priorities, the Government of Montenegro has set five key transport corridors as the basis for the spatial and economic development of the country. These corridors, which include motorways and expressways, are designed to optimise connectivity in Montenegro and improve transport infrastructure. These corridors include the Bar – Boljare motorway, the Adriatic-Ionian motorway, the expressway along the Montenegrin coast, and the expressways Bijelo Polje – Pljevlja – border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Podgorica – Nikšić – Šavnik – Žabljak – Pljevlja. The main partner in this investment drive is Monteput.
These projects form the basis for the adoption of the Spatial Plan of Montenegro, the most important strategic document that defines the direction of spatial, economic and environmental development of the country. The Spatial Plan will serve as a platform for precise positioning and definition of corridors, enabling the achievement of national goals in accordance with the economic and cultural-historical heritage of Montenegro. The established strategy, in addition to infrastructural improvements, also foresees a positive impact on the safety, comfort and economic efficiency of transport throughout Montenegro.
The planned network includes five main corridors divided into 18 sections, each representing a separate construction and functional unit.
"In order to begin construction of sections, it is necessary to prepare technical documentation, which creates the prerequisites for obtaining the necessary permits and further implementation of projects. After the documentation is prepared, the construction dynamics will depend on the provision of funds, as well as regional development plans, which ensures mutual coordination and sustainability of investments," explained Milan Ljiljanić, Executive Director of Monteput.
At the beginning of 2024, Monteput adopted an ambitious Work Plan, which has already been largely fulfilled.
Significant tenders have been announced for individual sections, including the Preliminary Design for the Bar - Boljare Highway, the Andrijevica - Berane - Boljare section, as well as part of the Podgorica - Bar section, the Smokovac - Tološi subsection.
Also, tenders for the development of conceptual designs have been published, and contracts with service providers have been signed for most of them, such as the planned intersection of the Bar - Boljare highway with the Adriatic-Ionian highway and the expressway; the crossing over the Bay of Kotor; the development of conceptual designs for the Podgorica - Tuzi (Božaj) expressway; the Danilovgrad - Nikšić expressway; and for the Sozina - border with Albania section of the Adriatic-Ionian highway; as well as the development of a conceptual design for the Adriatic-Ionian highway, section Čevo - border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which includes all necessary steps towards more efficient connection of coastal and northern areas.
Additional public calls for proposals for the development of conceptual designs for the Nikšić – Šavnik, Šavnik – Žabljak, Žabljak – Pljevlja (Vrulja) expressway subsections are due to be published. The completion of these tenders is expected to further improve the transparency and efficiency of the implementation of these development and investment projects.
Given the strategic importance of all projects, their implementation will have a long-term impact on the socio-economic progress of Montenegro. In addition to reducing travel times and improving road safety, this investment cycle will contribute to strengthening tourism, local entrepreneurship and economic cooperation in the region. It is particularly important that all planned roads must be designed according to modern standards, which guarantees safe and comfortable driving, with optimized travel times based on the predicted speeds.
As part of a comprehensive approach to development, Monteput continues to work on improving transport infrastructure in cooperation with domestic and international partners, creating a favorable environment for investors and contributing to the development of Montenegrin society and the market.
The proposed road network will enable faster and more efficient communication between Montenegrin cities, while at the same time connecting Montenegro with neighboring countries, making it an important transit point in the Balkans. Monteput remains committed to realizing the vision of a modern transport system in Montenegro, with spatial plans and technical documentation becoming the foundations for economic and spatial progress, in accordance with the highest European standards.
( Monteput )
