Rehabilitation of 5,000 kilometers of highways over the next three years – Toll collection for trucks on main roads being considered

Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic has stated that the rehabilitation of 5,000 kilometers of main and regional roads would take three years and that it is as important as the construction of the new corridor.

– Regional economic development is important for us. The proposition will be adopted over the next month by the Government of Serbia. In addition to the rehabilitation of 5,000 kilometers, we will also be building 650 kilometers of highways – Mihajlovic said in an interview with Vecernje Novosti.

She added that it was a big project and that she wanted local companies to take part in it.

– We are seeking a solution together with the Ministry of Economy for helping our companies procure machines and equipment and for providing subsidies to them – Mihajlovic said.

She said that the construction of the five new highways was a part of a five-year plan and that the construction of the Sumadija Corridor would start in 2021, once the project documentation is prepared.

– Everything before that, Preljina-Pozega, New Belgrade-Surcin, Ruma-Sabac-Loznica, Sremska Raca-Kuzmin and Nis-Plocnik is part of the five-year plan. All the spatial plans have been prepared, as have all the special purpose area plans. Some building permits have been partially issued and the expropriation for the first section on the Morava Corridor has already been done – she specified.

Mihajlovic also said that the proposition made by the Roads of Serbia to implement toll collection for cargo trucks on main roads as well was being considered too.

– We are seriously considering this. Heavy cargo vehicles avoid the highway, choosing main and regional roads instead, where they don't pay anything, but where they cause damage to the roads. We are waiting for an analysis and we will certainly look to redirect them to the highway – the minister said.

She pointed out that that would be safer and help reduce the said damage, while also helping realize additional income.

– This will not happen before 2020 – Mihajlovic said.

JP Putevi Srbije Beograd

Ministarstvo građevinarstva, saobraćaja i infrastrukture Republike Srbije

Vlada Republike Srbije

Ministarstvo privrede Republike Srbije

Roads of Serbia

Ministry of Construction Transport and Infrastructure

Government of Serbia

Ministry of Economy of Serbia

Sumadija Corridor

Preljina Pozega section

New Belgrade Surcin section

Ruma Sabac Loznica section

Sremska Raca Kuzmin section

Nis Plocnik section

Zorana Mihajlovic

highways Serbia

construction of highways in Serbia

construction of main roads

construction of regional roads

toll collection for cargo trucks

toll collection for trucks