Montenegro is preparing to advance at least five motorway sections in 2027 as part of a planned €2.7 billion investment programme covering approximately 127 kilometres of the Adriatic-Ionian motorway corridor. The government aims to start construction across all sections by 2030, with the network potentially completed around 2035.
State motorway operator Monteput identified the planned projects, which represent one of the largest infrastructure investment programmes in Montenegro’s history. The sections targeted for activity include Mateševo–Andrijevica, the Budva bypass, Bar bypass, Smokovac–Tološi and Čevo–Krivošije.
Several projects remain at different stages of design, environmental assessment and procurement. Financing arrangements have also not been finalised across the entire programme. The estimated €2.7 billion represents the indicative cost of the corridor rather than an approved financing package.
Smokovac–Tološi Project Advances Towards Procurement
The approximately 10.5-kilometre Smokovac–Tološi section is estimated to cost around €240 million. Monteput has received 22 applications from contractors during the prequalification process, with the construction contract targeted for mid-2027. The project includes bridges, interchanges and a twin-tube tunnel. Its development would extend motorway infrastructure towards the western part of Podgorica and establish the basis for additional connections towards the coast.
Mateševo–Andrijevica Financing and Construction
The Mateševo–Andrijevica section is at a more advanced stage and remains a central component of the Bar–Boljare motorway programme. Its reported contractual completion target is 2031.
The construction value is approximately €694 million. Financing support includes a €200 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and approximately €150 million in EU grants.
A substantial financing requirement therefore remains. The EBRD has indicated that it could consider increasing its participation, although no additional loan has been approved.
Budva and Bar Bypasses Face Engineering Requirements
The Budva bypass is intended to address seasonal congestion and improve coastal road connections. Heavy summer traffic around the tourism centre frequently causes delays, while the proposed bypass could reduce pressure on urban roads and improve travel times along the coast.
Its preparation must also address land acquisition, environmental impacts and development pressures along one of Montenegro’s most valuable tourism corridors. The Bar bypass involves complex engineering requirements, including a proposed Sutorman tunnel of approximately six kilometres, bridges and connections through mountainous terrain.
Geological conditions represent an important construction and financial risk for projects of this scale. Detailed site investigations and engineering design will be necessary before final contracts are signed, particularly because unexpected geological conditions can lead to significant cost increases. The Čevo–Krivošije section is also included in the wider Adriatic-Ionian motorway concept, intended to improve Montenegro’s integration into regional transport routes.
Financing and Project Management Requirements
The government will need to consider a combination of sovereign borrowing, development-bank loans, EU grants and potentially public-private partnerships to finance the wider programme. The investment will compete with other public spending priorities, including railway, water, energy and environmental infrastructure, while Montenegro is also facing substantial sovereign refinancing requirements.
Public-private partnerships could provide an alternative financing structure for selected sections, with private investors financing and operating infrastructure in exchange for toll revenues or availability payments. However, such arrangements can create long-term public-sector liabilities, particularly if contractual risks and payment obligations are not properly assessed. The programme also presents significant implementation requirements. Delivering five major road projects simultaneously could place pressure on Montenegro’s limited pool of experienced construction specialists, engineers and skilled workers, increasing the importance of international contractors and consultants.
Each section requires procurement procedures, environmental approvals, land acquisition, contract administration and independent supervision. Managing these processes across several projects will require substantial institutional and project-management capacity.
The proposed motorway network would improve connections between the coast, Podgorica and northern Montenegro, while potentially reducing freight transport times between the Port of Bar and inland markets. Construction would also generate demand for building materials, engineering services and labour.
With an indicative investment requirement of €2.7 billion, the programme represents a major commitment relative to the size of Montenegro’s economy. Its implementation will depend on financing arrangements, engineering preparation, procurement and the capacity of public institutions to manage multiple large-scale infrastructure projects.
