The construction of the ten-kilometer-long Smokovac - Tološi highway section will require the displacement of part of the population, the demolition of private buildings and the expropriation of land. The route will serve to bypass the capital, and will start at the existing Smokovac interchange and end after the future one in Tološi, while bridges will make up 2.942 meters and tunnels 1.160 meters of its total length.
This, among other things, is stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment Study for this project, which Monteput submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for a decision. The study was prepared by the company "Via Project", which in February this year, together with "CDS Project" and "Geotin MNE", was awarded the 791.582 euro contract to develop a preliminary design for this section of the Bar - Boljare highway.
According to the Study, the highway begins at the Smokovac intersection, from where it will cross the Širalija River valley along the slopes of the hills above Roge and over the Trijebač hill to the Zeta River. It is planned to cross the Zeta with a bridge, and then enter the Velji Brdo zone, along which the Velji Brdo interchange will be built, while the section above Vranić will continue further and pass through a tunnel above Tološko Polje. At the exit from the tunnel, a bridge will be built at the entrance to Tološko Polje, while after crossing the local road to Mareza, the planned Tološi interchange will be reached, after which the section ends...
"The population in the corridor is very small, with the exception of passing through the settlements of Tološi, Vranićke Njive and Rogami, with the presence of developed infrastructure in the western part of Podgorica. In some locations, there are buildings that, due to the construction and operation of the bypass, are scheduled for demolition. The personal property of a certain number of residents will be demolished and resettlement and/or compensation will be necessary. Along the route, in a wider area, there are built business and buildings intended for individual housing. This project should not have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of the population," the Study states.
It is stated that 34 species that have national or international protection status or are endemic have been found in the project area, while the route after exiting the tunnel through Velje brdo passes tens of meters from the entrance to the Magara cave. According to the document, there is a rich fauna of invertebrates at that location, such as pseudoscorpions and endemic amphipod crustaceans, so habitat changes are a risk to the survival of these species.
The documentation also states that the construction of the bridge in Vranićke njive will likely have a very negative impact on a species of snail, so they should be protected in a planned manner.
"The Mareza locality has been assessed as the most sensitive area around the construction of the highway. Since the construction results in a permanent loss of space, nesting birds will be most affected by this project. The corridor crosses Mareza and will permanently destroy part of the habitat in which these species breed. Each of them will be affected, without exception, but the greatest loss will be suffered by species that have territorial nesting, mainly owls, woodpeckers and some sparrows. On the route itself, there will be an absolute disappearance of nesting pairs of birds, due to the loss of habitat," the Study points out.
It is also stated that the construction will result in the relocation of two power lines. The planned speed of movement on this highway will be from 100 to 120 kilometers per hour, while its completion is included in the conceptual design of the intersection of this with the Adriatic - Ionian Highway and the expressway. Connecting roads will be at Velji Brdo, Tološ and on the boulevard on Zlatica.
Public forum in mid-November
The public discussion and submission of opinions on the Study on the Smokovac - Tološi highway section will last until November 21st.
The Environmental Protection Agency's website states that documentation can be viewed at their premises on weekdays, but can also be downloaded from the website.
"A public discussion on the study will be held in the Multimedia Hall of the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property, on November 10, 2025 at 10 a.m.," the Agency's website states.
Bonus video:
