The gondola construction project, which aims to connect Kolašin with the ski resorts on Bjelasica, represents one of the most significant investments in the municipality in the last few decades. The estimated value of the ambitious undertaking is 101 million euros.
It is planned through the state capital budget for this year, and it is a multi-year project.
However, despite the impressive value and announcements of its capital importance, key information about the project is still unavailable to the public. Specific details, economic feasibility analyses, and the exact dynamics of the project's implementation by phases have not yet been officially presented, nor have the final details about the route, or the variant that the government decided on through the project terms of reference.
The Kolašin executive authorities announced that all details of the project terms of reference will be announced only after the tender for the selection of the contractor is published.
The tender will be conducted on a "design and build" basis, and is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
In the Draft Spatial Planning Program and Urban Redevelopment Program for 2026, the name is known - "construction of the gondola Breza - Railway Station - Smrče - Ćirilovac - Kolašin 1450 - Kolašin, Kolašin 1600".
The start of the project was also foreseen in last year's Program, but at that time it was planned to cost 60 million euros. As previously announced, the planned length of the route will be around 12 kilometers, with the highest point of the cable car at almost 1.900 meters above sea level.
"Vijesti" was unofficially told by the Kolašin Municipality that it is definitive that the route will begin in the suburban settlement of Breza, but it is not yet known whether the first intermediate station will be at the Railway Station.
Apparently, it is much more likely that it will be on Ćirilovac, near the monastery of the same name. Apparently, one of the intermediate stations should also be on the Ključ hill, and the next one at the private ski resort Kolašin 1450. The route would end at the neighboring state-owned ski resort Kolašin 1600.
As announced last year by the Vice President of the Municipality Vasilije Ivanovic, the justification for such an expensive project lies in "the ability to create conditions for Kolašin to have a 365-day tourist offer."
In addition, he explained at the time, traffic on the road to the ski resorts would be relieved, because that road is now part of the regional road from Kolašin to Berane, through the Klisura tunnel.
"If this project were to be realized, the gondola would be one of the most famous in this part of Europe. I hope that the Government will recognize the importance of our idea. In addition to the practical benefits, the gondola would provide those who use it with a unique panoramic ride experience. From the Ključ Pass, you can see, so to speak, half of Montenegro, and it is also important that this project would relieve traffic from the city to the ski resort," said Ivanović last year.
According to the amendments to the Spatial and Urban Plan (SUP) of the Municipality of Kolašin, adopted a year ago, the construction of a gondola connecting the city center with the Kolašin 1450 and 1600 ski resorts is emphasized. Two variants have been offered, and according to the first, the route has intermediate stations at the Railway Station, Smrčje, Ćirilovac, Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600. According to the second variant, intermediate stations are planned at the Railway Station and the Kolašin 1450 Ski Center, and the route also ends at the state ski resort Kolašin 1600.
According to the first variant, the starting station of the cable car is near the Breza barracks, with parking space for about 600 vehicles, while the intermediate station at the Railway Station would have parking for about 70 vehicles.
"The Breza - Smrčje cable car could represent variant 1. The connection of the future tourist settlement, the city and the ski resort is being established. The intermediate station Ćirilovac - the cable car stop would be about 200 meters from the Ćirilovac monastery. Anyone who reaches this location by cable car, in the summer by walking, can return to Kolašin or climb to the top of Ključ, to the small chapel and the hut, from where a fantastic view is offered...", it is written, among other things, in the description of the first phase.
The planned length of the route is about 12 kilometers, with the highest point of the cable car at almost 1.900 meters above sea level.
The highest point of the cable car, in variant 1, would be on the Ključ pass at 1.880 meters above sea level, to the left of the hut and chapel on Ključ, which, as stated in the amendments to the PUP, could be very attractive, but what is even more attractive is that the gondola would overcome a 300-meter climb in just 800 meters and would then descend sharply towards Jezerine with the same drop. The cable car's capacity would be 2.000 passengers per hour.
The total journey from Breza to the ski resort would take 30 minutes at a speed of 6 m/s. The length of the first section to Smrčje is about 5.650 meters, the elevation difference is 80 meters, the journey would take 15 minutes and 42 seconds and the maximum number of baskets would be 111. The length of the second section from Smrčje to the Kolašin 1450 ski resort is about 5.150 meters, the elevation difference is 400 meters, the journey would take 14 minutes and 21 seconds, the maximum number of baskets would be 102.
"In variant 2, the starting station is the same as in variant 1, as well as the intermediate station Željeznička stanica, after which it continues directly to the Jezerine 1450 and Jezerine 1600 stations (turning station). In the first and second variants, the starting station of the gondola can be another suitable location, such as the tourism zone in the sports zone. These are cable car corridors, and the precise position will be determined by further development of the technical documentation," the document states.
The PUP recommends the development of a Feasibility Study "which would analyze all proposed alternative solutions and show which alternative solution is the most favorable, for which a main design must then be prepared as for a complex engineering facility."
Bonus video:
