The construction of the highway from Belgrade to Banja Luka is progressing according to plan, and works are most advanced on the section from Rača to Bijeljina, where nearly 83 million marks have been invested so far.

Nedeljko Ćorić, acting director of "Autoputevi RS," confirmed that the construction of the Belgrade - Banja Luka highway, which is part of the future Belgrade - Sarajevo - Belgrade highway, is proceeding according to the planned schedule.

This project through the Republika Srpska is divided into three sections, and currently, engineers are actively working on the route from Rača to Bijeljina. This task has been entrusted to a consortium consisting of Laktasi-based "Integral Engineering," "Srbijaautoput" from Belgrade, and the Institute for Civil Engineering "IG" from Banja Luka.

- This section, which is 20 kilometers long, is one of the most active construction sites of the highway in Republika Srpska. In the past 16 months, subsoil and the first layer of embankment have been completed along the entire length of the route, while the second layer of embankment has been completed on three kilometers of the future highway. In addition, subsoil and the first layer of embankment have been prepared on two kilometers of the future Bijeljina North interchange with accompanying ramps - Ćorić told "Glas Srpske."

He emphasized that a total of 82.85 million marks have been allocated for all works on this section so far, and reminded that the mentioned project is jointly financed by the governments of Srpska and Serbia. On the other side of the Drina, from Serbia, 19.50 million marks have been allocated for this section.

- The construction of the section from Rača to Bijeljina, where preparatory work started as early as September 2022, is progressing according to the planned schedule, and the contractors have a deadline of three years to complete the job - Ćorić stated.

"Autoputevi RS" has also conducted an international public procurement procedure for the design and construction services on the remaining sections of the aforementioned highway from Belgrade to Banja Luka, i.e., on the routes Brčko - Bijeljina.

- The construction work on these sections has been entrusted to renowned Chinese companies, which are at the forefront of the list of the best construction firms. The Chinese company, which will build the section from Vukosavlje towards Brčko, has already started preparatory work and built part of the workers' camp who will be engaged in this job, with more intensive work expected during the year - Ćorić said.

He emphasized that the section from Brčko to Bijeljina will also be built by a Chinese company, and negotiations on the financial part of the contract are currently underway for the realization of this project, as well as activities related to the preparation of project planning documentation.

Regarding the route through Brčko, "Autoputevi RS" have contracted the construction of the sections Vukosavlje - Brčko and Brčko - Bijeljina, up to the border with the District.

- "Autoputevi" and "Autoceste FBiH" are in constant contact with the authorities in the District, who are still coordinating the route through the territory of Brčko itself, as well as other legal and sublegal acts necessary to start the implementation of the highway construction project in that part - Nedeljko Ćorić said.

AI-translated