Montenegro’s Minister of Transport Maja Vukićević said that the financial phase of the tender for the second section of the Bar–Boljare highway is currently underway, while the technical evaluation has been completed. Five companies or consortia passed the technical stage, and all five are expected to submit valid financial bids.
The tender is being implemented by Monteput in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which must approve each phase of the process. Vukićević noted that although EBRD procedures are slower, Montenegro benefits from a €150 million grant and a favorable loan that will finance the highway’s construction.
She confirmed that the bid submission deadline is imminent, after which the evaluation commission will review the offers and propose contractors.
Regarding the Tivat–Jaz road, Vukićević said the project has faced numerous issues from the start, including design problems and the need to relocate local utilities such as water pipes and CEDIS power installations. She stressed that completing the project before the summer tourist season is a priority.
The minister highlighted that 12 infrastructure projects are currently under construction across Montenegro, with four more ready to begin and seven in the tender phase. Key projects include the Vrulja–Mijakovići road in the Pljevlja area, rehabilitation of the Sokolovina landslide, and reconstruction of several long-delayed routes such as Mrkojevići, Lepenac–Ribarevine, and Trešnjevik–Andrijevica.
Addressing criticism over the delay in the second highway phase, Vukićević said the postponement was justified, noting that several “years of inactivity” preceded the start of the first phase. The second phase is financed through EBRD grants and loans, requiring adjustments, including route changes due to environmental and social impact studies.
She explained that the revised alignment avoided the demolition of residential buildings, which was essential to secure financing approval. The new contract, she said, includes strict provisions: contractors will have five years from signing to complete the main design and construction, with financial penalties for delays.
