Monteput responds to claims of halted highway project: New plan to minimize impact on local communities

Published on 10. September 2024., News

Monteput has responded to recent comments by Nikola Milović of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), who claimed that the second segment of the Bar-Boljare highway, extending from Andrijevica to Mateševo, appears to be stalled.

Monteput clarified that the consortium of international companies, funded through the approved grant from the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans, has completed the preliminary design for this highway segment. The original route, which passed through the settlement of Kralje, would have required extensive property expropriation and demolition, significantly impacting local residents. This concern was also noted in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) requested by the EBRD.

In response, Monteput has proposed an alternative route to mitigate these negative effects on the local community and ensure the project’s smooth continuation. They believe this new plan will not only prevent delays but also significantly cut costs associated with expropriation and demolition.

Monteput stressed that the government is dedicated to balancing citizen needs with the project’s advancement. They are committed to ensuring that the highway’s construction has minimal adverse effects on the environment and local population. Despite political critiques and concerns, Monteput aims to finalize contracts with the construction company, secure financing, and obtain grant funds by early next year.

Monteput emphasized that if they must choose between immediate construction with substantial demolition or a delayed start with reduced impact on local life, they would opt for the latter. Their goal is to preserve the quality of life in northern villages while moving forward with the highway project.