The civic initiative "I Love Sutomore" this week asked the Municipality of Bar and the Traffic Administration to urgently start solving the problems of traffic and utility infrastructure in the Sutomore area, in order to improve the quality of life and safety in that part of the Bar municipality.
This was told to "Vijesti" by representatives of the group of citizens, which has been monitoring the needs of its fellow citizens via social networks for several months, and last month began with concrete actions and meetings with competent institutions and services.
They stated that this season they have dedicated themselves especially to traffic safety and infrastructure, because this problem can no longer be ignored. Citizens, politicians, accommodation providers and other business people have been warning for months about unbearable traffic jams and kilometer-long queues, especially between Sutomore and Bar, where the main road has only two lanes.
They believe that this should not be the first and last image that tourists see and take away from Bar, but they note with disappointment that this is now reality.
The first letter was sent to the Municipality of Bar, headed by Dušan Raičević from the Democratic Party of Socialists, and to the Secretariat for Communal Affairs and Traffic, headed by Dejan Škerović. This secretariat is responsible for communal infrastructure and traffic signals in the city and suburban settlements.
The second letter was sent to the Traffic Administration, which operates within the Ministry of Transport, headed by Radoš Zečević from the New Serbian Democracy since the end of July.
The Traffic Administration is a state body that manages main and regional roads, and in this case, it is a section of the road that passes through Sutomore and represents the main road towards Bar.
They are looking for "speed bumps" and asphalting
In both letters, which "Vijesti" had access to, representatives of the "I Love Sutomore" initiative refer to a large number of reports from locals who warn of dangerous sections, a lack of traffic calming devices, and the poor condition of pedestrian infrastructure.
They emphasize that the problem of traffic safety in Sutomore is not new, but has long been known to the competent institutions, and that part of the solution is expected through a large infrastructure project to build a boulevard from Sutomore to Bar.
However, the initiators insist that urgent temporary measures must be taken until the completion of this long-term project, because this is a "section that has been recognized for years as one of the most congested and risky points in Montenegro."
The initiative told "Vijesti" that they have contacted both the Municipality and the State Administration in order to encompass the jurisdictions of both institutions and prevent some of the reported problems from remaining unresolved due to division of responsibility, which, as they claim, is a frequent case when it comes to problems in the Sutomore area.
The request sent to the Municipality of Bar identified four problematic locations that were reported by a large number of locals.
In first place is 20 July Street, where the initiative requests the installation of traffic snarls due to frequent speeding and high traffic intensity. The letter states that this endangers the safety of pedestrians and residents of the street.
In Save Kovačevića Street, in its lower part, locals are also requesting the installation of speed bumps to increase the safety of all traffic participants.
A speed bump was recently installed on Cara Lazara Street, but citizens believe that two more are needed, as people often drive at inappropriate speeds on that street, especially in the evening hours.
This, as the request states, represents a serious security problem.
They also cite Tesla Street as problematic, because the part of the road that leads uphill from the "HDL Laković" market is still macadam. After every heavy rain, water washes away the surface and further damages the road, so the initiative is calling for that section to be asphalted.
The initiators requested that the competent services go to the field, conduct an on-site investigation and take measures in accordance with their jurisdiction, as well as to inform them about the possibilities and plans for resolving the reported problems.
They said that cooperation between institutions and citizens can improve the safety and quality of life of the residents of Sutomore.
They want to prevent new tragedies.
In a letter to the Traffic Administration, the "I Love Sutomore" initiative placed special emphasis on the protection of human lives, recalling the tragic consequences of previous traffic accidents in Sutomore.
They cited the prevention of new tragedies as the main motive for their address.
Their demands relate to the section of the main road from the "HDL Laković" market to the bus station, which they describe as extremely risky.
They are requesting the installation of traffic calming devices in the form of vibrating strips on the roadway, similar to those that already exist in several locations throughout Montenegro.
They propose that such lanes be placed at several key locations along the section, especially in the market area, because, in their opinion, they would contribute to reducing vehicle speeds and increase driver attention.
They also require solving the problem of turning at the market, where vehicles often cross into the opposite lane when entering traffic, or intersect both lanes in the direction of Bar.
The Initiative assesses this situation as a serious danger for which it is necessary to find an appropriate traffic and technical solution.
They are also asking the Administration for additional horizontal and vertical signage, including reflective elements, so-called "cat's eyes", additional lighting and other solutions that would increase the visibility and safety of that section.
The civic initiative offered cooperation and proposed organizing a joint action between institutions and citizens.
They said that the residents of Sutomore "are asking for nothing more than a safer space for living, moving around and daily functioning."
In addition to the central request relating to the main road, they also submitted to the Traffic Administration a list of additional problems that they believe require an urgent response.
Among them is the collapse of the pedestrian path from the market to the first laundromat, which they claim poses a danger to pedestrians.
They also warned about a partially collapsed metal protective fence at the same location, which, according to them, no longer provides the necessary protection.
They also cite as a problem the unclearly resolved turn towards the main train station in Sutomore, which creates risk and confusion among drivers, especially at night.
The area behind the footbridge, intended for access to the train station, has, according to their claims, been turned into an illegal parking lot, further hindering the safe flow of traffic.
The initiative acknowledges that certain problems may fall under the jurisdiction of different institutions, but says that appropriate solutions can be found through a joint approach.
They emphasize that their goal is not just to point out problems, but also to actively participate in solving them, with a willingness to engage in any action that would contribute to that.
They expect a quick response and joint engagement from the authorities.
Representatives of the initiative told "Vijesti" that they have not yet received responses from the institutions to which they sent their requests.
When the answers arrive, they will, as they stated, inform their fellow citizens, and they will remain available to the authorities for further communication, cooperation, and possible meetings.
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