Construction of the visitor center on the river Bistrica: Concrete works are in progress

The construction of the visitor center on the banks of the Bistrica river in Bijelo Polje has recently begun with the preparation of the ground and concreting of the foundation, as part of the tourist valorization project of the Đalovića cave and its surroundings.

The implementation of the project is carried out according to the "design and build" principle, on the basis of which the selected bidder in the public procurement procedure, the company "Permonte" from Podgorica, previously prepared the main project.

"The value of this investment, which was foreseen by the Government of Montenegro in the Budget Law, amounts to 893 thousand euros. The contract defines that the construction works will be completed in the middle of next year, if the weather conditions permit and there are no aggravating circumstances caused by the coronavirus," said Goran Škatarić, public relations advisor of the Public Works Administration.

He explained that the visitor center with accompanying facilities and parking is part of one of the largest construction projects in the field of tourism in Montenegro, worth around 23 million euros, and that it is planned for a location with an area of ​​12 thousand square meters, and the building itself will extend to 500 square meters.

"It will contain a restaurant, an information desk with a souvenir shop, a museum and exhibition space, a presentation hall, a clinic, a service for issuing equipment, as well as an administrative block for employees. The facility will be located next to the newly built road from the settlement of Bistrica to the Podvrh monastery, and it is planned to be in harmony with the natural environment," said Škataric.

Next to it will be built a parking lot with 42 places for cars, special places for buses, motorcycles, bicycles, as well as for the needs of persons with reduced mobility.

"There is also space for an adventure park and a promenade along the river, which will be connected to the new bridge on Bistrica. The construction of the bridge on Bistrica is also in progress, and the supports of the concrete structure were recently installed. The work on the bridge, together with the already started reconstruction of the road Gubavac - Bistrica, is worth five million euros", he noted.

By the way, the Public Works Administration is currently implementing other segments of the tourism valorization of the Bistrica area, such as the opening of the entrance to the cave, the installation of the gondola-type cable car and the construction of the electric power infrastructure.

"Last summer, asphalting and installation of signage was completed on the approximately 5,7 kilometer long road Bistrica - Podvrh monastery, and earlier the construction of the Bistrica substation, which will supply the entire complex. The construction of the service facility and the end station of the cable car, the installation of a path from the service facility to the entrance to the cave, as well as special installation paths and lighting in the cave itself, are to come. The realization of this capital project will contribute to a richer tourist offer in Montenegro, to the creation of new jobs and to the creation of a favorable environment for the economic development of the Bjelopolje municipality and the entire northern region", Škatarić concluded.