Miloš Veliki Highway Opening: Safety First, But Is Everything Really That Great?
In just seven days, Serbia will open a new highway section from Pakovraće to Požega, stretching 19.5 kilometers through the mountainous terrain of western Serbia. Builders faced serious challenges, including the construction of two tunnels — Laz and Munjino Brdo — which, at nearly 2.8 kilometers, are the longest tunnels in Serbia.
Safety or Just Talk?
The tunnel operational center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology: video surveillance and automatic incident detection. Eight to ten people will be on duty 24/7, with fire trucks, ambulances, and police on standby. Officials claim that road users will be maximally safe. But is that enough?
Materials and Testing: Did Everything Go Right?
More than 70 different tests were conducted on materials used in the highway: concrete, stone, sand, gravel, reinforcement, asphalt, bitumen… All passed laboratory checks. But is laboratory safety enough to guarantee safety on the road?
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Besides tunnels, the section includes numerous bridges and viaducts necessary to overcome deep gorges and hills. Three interchanges — Pakovraće, Lučani, and Prilipac — connect the highway with main and state roads, enabling better connectivity and economic development in the region.
Economy and Tourism: Who Will Benefit?
The mayor of Lučani municipality, Milivoje Dolović, emphasizes that the highway will change life in the municipality, especially with a new industrial zone located near the toll station. Tourists will feel the benefits as early as August, as the highway will be used to access the 64th Trumpet Festival in Guča.
Conclusion: Is This Really a Masterpiece?
Officials claim the Miloš Veliki highway is a construction masterpiece and that safety is at the highest level. But on the other hand, questions remain about how safe it really will be and how much it will contribute to regional development. Will promises be fulfilled, or will this be just another project to boast about while problems remain?
What do you think? Is this a highway to be proud of or just another media story? Drop a comment, maybe together we’ll uncover what’s behind the shiny facade!
Key Facts:
- Section length: 19.5 km
- Longest tunnels in Serbia: Laz and Munjino Brdo, nearly 2.8 km
- Over 70 types of materials tested
- 8-10 people in the tunnel operational center 24/7
- Three interchanges with toll stations
- Industrial zone in Lučani municipality covering several hectares
- Opening planned in less than seven days
Stay tuned for the latest news and don’t forget to share your thoughts!
Source: RINA, JP Putevi Srbije, Blic
