Press release: IV meeting of the Road Construction Steering Committee

The fourth meeting of the Road Construction Steering Committee, chaired by the Steering Committees President, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, took place today in Podgorica.

The Committee considered and accepted the report on the progress in the construction of the Sozina Tunnel and approach roads, together with the installation of tunnel equipment. After an exhaustive debate, the Steering Committee found that the construction works, for the most part, continued at the projected rate, which was a guarantee that this important infrastructure facility would be put into operation before the tourist season. This removed the uncertainties as to whether the deadlines would be met provoked by certain delays on the northern approach road caused by sudden landslides and unfavorable weather conditions during the winter period.

With regard to the tunnel equipment, it was found that, since the selected contractor had completed the preparatory works, the construction continued at the projected rate and that, in the light of additional guarantees provided by the contractor, the completion of this stage of works should be expected before the deadline of 4 months and 19 days, which would enable the whole project to finish on schedule.

The Committee, further, considered the preparations for the construction of Podgorica-Matesevo Road, which will finally connect the north of Montenegro with the coast and central parts of the country, in accordance with applicable European standards. With a view to securing the implementation of the project, international tenders for the reconstruction of Matesevo-Kolasin Road were invited today. The deadline for tenders is 26 May, after which the construction of that road section is expected to begin.

The Steering Committee concluded that the construction of Matesevo-Verusa section should begin by the end of the year, and that Verusa-Podgorica section required the preparation of project documentation for both proposed options, as well as the production of a feasibility study, as technical and economic grounds for a decision on which route to choose for that road section.

In conclusion, the Steering Committee referred to the financial report by the Road Construction Directorate and gave consent for the preparation of organizational bylaws and job classification scheme for the future enterprise put in charge of commercial exploitation and maintenance of Sozina Tunnel.