Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU has granted €3.5 million for the Putnikovo Brdo – Medakovo section of Bosnia’s Corridor Vc, enhancing infrastructure with bridges, tunnels, and roadworks for regional development.
What is the purpose of the EU’s €3.5 million grant?
The Director of the Public Highways Company Denis Lasić and the Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Office in BiH Manuela Naessl inscribed a Grant Agreement in Sarajevo connected to a grant from the European Union for 3.5 million euros for the keeping of works on the Putnikovo Brdo – Medakovo section. The Putnikovo Brdo – Medakovo section stands 8.5 kilometres long and passes via the three municipalities of Usora, Doboj Jug and Tešanj.
How will the Corridor Vc project impact Bosnia and Herzegovina?
This section includes the structure of six bridges, one small tunnel, five underpasses, one overpass, seven hydro-technical structures, two interchanges, front and side toll booths, and a traffic command and control centre on the highway.
Denis Lasić said: “Corridor Vc is a scheme that is moving forward every day. Three and a half million euros in assistance is a substantial amount for the section Putnikovo Brdo – Medakovo, the construction of which is underway. Thank you to the European Union for their ongoing financial support for numerous projects on Corridor Vc that benefit all residents. We are very pleased with the long-term excellent partnership. We plan to have the entire stretch from Sarajevo, i.e. from Bradina to the Sava River, in operation in the second half of 2026”.
The signing ceremony was also accompanied by the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adebayo Babajide. The European Union has already given 12 million euros in grants for the construction of the Putnikovo brdo – Medakovo section, and today a further grant agreement for 3.5 million euros is being inscribed for the supervision of works on this section.
“The European Union is dedicated to enhancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s connectivity and regional integration via the construction of the Corridor Vc motorway, the country’s biggest infrastructure project. This vital project will boost economic development, improve transportation, and positively affect the daily lives of citizens. To help this, the EU has allocated €870 million in donations to date, covering all stages of the scheme, including construction, preparation and supervision. Today, another grant is being inscribed for the Putnikovo Brdo – Medakovo section, which is another measure forward towards completing this vital project,” Babajide stated.
How does the new grant contribute to Bosnia’s regional integration efforts?
This scheme also involves the ordinance of the Usora and Tešanjka riverbeds to stop the flooding of colonies along the rivers, the relocation of about 3.5 kilometres of the existing main road M-4, and the reconstruction of local streets. The value of the acquired works is EUR 167,062,555.93 including VAT, with 24 months completion time. On the northern section of the Vc Corridor, 50 km of the highway is under structure, and works on the Ozimice – Poprikuše section are yet to start, which means that the whole northern part of the corridor will be in some construction phase.
