EU powers Bosnia’s highway dreams

A European Union grant agreement worth €10.7 million for the Mostar North–Mostar South section was signed at the headquarters of JP Autoceste FBiH in Mostar, CE Report quotes FENA.

The agreement was signed by Denis Lasić, Director of JP Autoceste FBiH, and Charlotte Ruhe, Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for Central and Southeastern Europe. The signing was also attended by Antonella Di Sandri, Head of the Section for Economic Development, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure at the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The construction of Corridor Vc is a key infrastructure project for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and today’s signing of the grant agreement is yet another confirmation that the importance of this project has been recognized by our partners in the European Union. The Mostar North–Mostar South section is one of the most demanding along the entire corridor, and thanks to these grant funds, we now have the opportunity to properly prepare the project before the actual construction begins. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the European Union and the EBRD for their continuous support to JP Autoceste FBiH and the development of a modern motorway in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Director Lasić.

The €10.7 million grant, through which the EU is providing financial support for preparation, procurement, supervision, and implementation of the Mostar North–Mostar South section, was secured under the Connectivity Agenda through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

“The signing of today’s grant agreement for the construction of the Mostar North–Mostar South section represents an important step forward in accelerating the completion of Corridor Vc. The European Union remains a committed partner to Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing crucial support that directly benefits local communities through improved connectivity, shorter travel times, and enhanced road safety. The EU has allocated a total of €870 million in grants for the construction of Corridor Vc, clearly demonstrating our continued commitment to the country's regional integration and prosperous European future,” said Di Sandri.

Today’s signed agreement is part of a broader multimillion-euro support package for the construction of the Mostar North–Mostar South section, for which the EU has allocated a total of €155.9 million in non-repayable funds.

In addition to these approved funds, the construction of the Mostar North–Mostar South section will also be financed through a loan agreement with the EBRD amounting to €110 million and funds secured from commercial banks.

“The EU grant agreement we signed today will provide funds that will help accelerate the implementation of the project and the construction of this important section of Corridor Vc. Together with the EU, we remain committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in completing Corridor Vc,” said Ruhe.

The Mostar North–Mostar South section, with a total length of 13.8 kilometers, is part of LOT 4 of Corridor Vc.

The section begins at the Mostar North interchange in the settlement of Kutilivač and ends at the Mostar South interchange, which connects to the main road M6.1 Gnojnice–Blagaj. The route mostly passes through hilly and mountainous terrain, featuring a combination of cuttings and embankments with numerous structures along the way.

In addition to the listed interchanges with toll stations, this section will include the construction of 11 bridges/viaducts, six twin-tube tunnels, three underpasses, two overpasses, and a Traffic Control and Management Center (TCMC) designed as part of the Mostar North interchange, according to JP Autoceste FBiH.