The Mateševo–Andrijevica section of the Bar–Boljare motorway has transitioned from planning to preparatory works, marking a significant milestone for Montenegro’s infrastructure development. Spanning approximately 22 kilometres through challenging mountainous terrain, this project is currently the largest infrastructure endeavor underway in the country. A consortium of Chinese firms, including Power Construction Corporation of China, STECOL Corporation, and POWERCHINA Chengdu Engineering Corporation, will oversee its construction, referred to in Montenegrin tender documentation as POWERCHINA Ltd.–STECOL–PCCD.
The total contract value is estimated at €693.97 million excluding VAT. Financing for the project is structured through a combination of sources: a €200 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a €150 million grant from the European Union, with the remainder being funded by Montenegro’s state budget. This financing model not only highlights the complexity of the project but also serves as a test case for Montenegro’s ability to merge Chinese construction capabilities with European financial and environmental standards.
The motorway is designed for speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour and incorporates numerous engineering features. Key components include the Trešnjevik tunnel, which is approximately 3.6 kilometres long, alongside 21 bridges totaling around 4.8 kilometres. Additional infrastructure includes the Andrijevica interchange and facilities for managing and maintaining the motorway. The technical challenges posed by this section underscore its economic significance, with risks concentrated in areas such as geology, tunneling, bridge foundations, and slope stability.
The project’s implementation timeline is noteworthy, with a planned design phase lasting 14 months, followed by an anticipated construction period of 46 months. This results in an overall delivery horizon of about five years, after which there will be an additional two-year period allocated for defect corrections. This extended timeline emphasizes the importance of effective cost control, claims management, quality supervision, and adherence to environmental regulations throughout the construction process.
This motorway segment is expected to act as a catalyst for development in northern Montenegro. Upon completion, travel time between Podgorica and Andrijevica is projected to decrease to approximately 38 minutes, enhancing accessibility to regions such as the Lim valley and municipalities including Andrijevica, Berane, Rožaje, Gusinje, Plav, and Petnjica. These areas collectively represent around 12 percent of Montenegro’s population and hold potential in sectors like mountain tourism, wood processing, water resources, and mineral extraction.
The strategic impact of this project will hinge on Montenegro’s ability to leverage the construction phase to develop economic activities surrounding the new roadway. Merely reducing travel times will not suffice; there must be accompanying efforts to establish tourism zones, logistics hubs, industrial sites, local supplier initiatives, improved municipal permitting processes, and viable projects that can attract private investment once connectivity is enhanced.
POWERCHINA Chengdu has committed to ensuring that the project adheres to Montenegrin regulations and European standards concerning safety, quality, and environmentally friendly construction practices. The effectiveness of these commitments will need to be demonstrated through ongoing site operations, particularly in relation to environmental safeguards, worker safety protocols, waste management, water protection measures, dust control strategies, noise monitoring practices, and engagement with local communities.
The Mateševo–Andrijevica section thus stands as a pivotal project for assessing Montenegro’s infrastructure capabilities. Its success will not solely be measured by its completion date but also by how effectively the country manages this complex €693.97 million undertaking while maintaining control over costs, timelines, environmental responsibilities, and broader developmental opportunities in the northern region.
