Bosnia and Herzegovina Celebrates Milestone in Construction of its Longest Road Tunnel

Bosnia and Herzegovina Celebrates Milestone in Construction of its Longest Road Tunnel

(IN BRIEF) The Golubinja tunnel, the longest road tunnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3.6 kilometers, has reached a significant milestone with the breakthrough of its left stretch. Part of the Poprikuše – Nemila motorway on the Pan-European Corridor Vc, this tunnel will reduce travel time from Sarajevo to northern regions by bypassing the River Bosna canyon. The €251 million project is funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and a €41 million EU grant. Key figures, including EIB’s Sandrine Friscia and Federal Minister of Transport Andrijana Katić, emphasized the project’s importance for economic development and connectivity. The right stretch of the tunnel is expected to be completed soon, with the entire section targeted for completion by the end of 2026. The project has engaged over 600 workers, with 80% of materials sourced locally.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 26-Jul-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Golubinja tunnel, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s longest road tunnel at 3.6 kilometers, has made significant progress with the recent breakthrough of its left stretch. Located on the Pan-European Corridor Vc between Žepča and Zenica, this tunnel is part of the Poprikuše – Nemila motorway section. Once completed, it will significantly reduce travel time from Sarajevo to northern regions by bypassing the current road through the River Bosna canyon. The project, costing €251 million, is financed through the Team Europe approach, with contributions from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and a €41 million EU grant under the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

EIB Head of Office for BiH and Montenegro, Sandrine Friscia, emphasized the importance of modernizing transport connections to boost economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EIB has invested over €1 billion in Corridor Vc to date.

Key figures at the ceremony included Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić, Autoceste FBiH Director Denis Lasić, Federal Minister of Transport Andrijana Katić, EU Deputy Head of Delegation Adebayo Babajide, and Asim Cengiz from the contracting company Cengiz Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.

Federal Minister Katić highlighted the project’s complexity and the commitment to open the northern part of Corridor Vc by the end of 2026. Lasić praised the teamwork driving the project’s success, while Babajide noted the EU’s significant financial support, with €870 million approved for Corridor Vc.

The project involves over 600 workers, with 80% of materials sourced locally. The right stretch of the tunnel is expected to be completed in the coming months.

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank