Montenegro and Albania have not yet finalised the procedures required to begin construction procurement for a planned €20 million bridge over the Bojana River, which will connect the Ulcinj area with Velipoja.
Albania has submitted a draft implementation protocol outlining institutional responsibilities and construction procedures. Both governments must agree on and sign the document before the construction tender can be launched.
The proposed crossing is expected to be approximately 300 metres long and 17 metres wide, providing a new transport connection between the coastal areas of the two countries. The project is intended to improve regional connectivity and support tourism and trade.
The two governments announced the project in 2022 and agreed to share construction costs equally. Based on the initial €20 million estimate, each country would contribute approximately €10 million. Montenegro’s Transport Ministry said the final project value would be determined through the contractor selection process.
Montenegro’s parliament ratified the bilateral construction agreement in March 2024, establishing the legal framework for cooperation. The remaining implementation protocol must define responsibilities for procurement, technical supervision and construction. The Transport Ministry has requested a meeting with its Albanian counterparts to accelerate the process, but a date has not been set.
The Albanian Development Fund prepared and financed the design documentation, which has been approved by Montenegro. The Montenegrin government has also allocated funding through its 2026 capital budget and intends to provide the necessary resources for implementation in 2027.
The bridge is expected to shorten travel distances and improve access between coastal tourism destinations, facilitating cross-border passenger and commercial traffic. No contractor has been selected and no construction contract has been awarded. The previously announced €20 million figure remains an estimate, rather than a final tender price. Adoption of the implementation protocol is the next step before procurement can begin for construction works and technical supervision.
