Serbia and the Highway: Heroic Saga or Construction Circus?
Today, Serbia opened a new section of the Miloš Veliki highway, stretching 19.5 kilometers, connecting Pakovraće and Požega. The first vehicles started driving around noon, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić proudly declared that Serbia is now a strong country with the most modern and safest infrastructure. But let’s dive into the details and see what lies behind these grand words.
Tunnels, Bridges, and Geographic Challenges
This section is not just a road. It’s a true engineering feat! It features 35 bridges and three tunnels, including the two longest road tunnels in Serbia – Laz and Munjino Brdo. Together, bridges and tunnels make up nearly a third of the route. Did you know the total length of the bridges exceeds 5 kilometers? And over a million cubic meters of embankment were constructed? All this passes through difficult geographic terrain, which further complicated the works.
Chinese Money and Serbian Land
The main contractor is the Chinese company China Communications Construction Company (CRBC), and the project value is about 450 million euros. Yes, you read that right – nearly half a billion euros! Serbia is investing huge sums in this infrastructure, but the question is how much it will benefit ordinary citizens. Will the travel time from Belgrade to Montenegro really be shorter by 30 minutes, as announced? Or is this just another political story for the public?
President Vučić and His Vision
Vučić stated at the opening that the old potholes and bad roads have been replaced by the most modern highways. Yes, that’s true, but at what cost? Is Serbia ready to go into debt for decades ahead to have the “most modern” roads? And what about other priorities – healthcare, education, social protection?
What Do the Citizens Say?
While the government celebrates, many citizens wonder if this investment will bring real benefits. Will the road be safer? Will traffic jams decrease? Or will this be just another highway serving political points and big contracts with foreign companies?
Conclusion: Serbia at a Crossroads
The opening of the Miloš Veliki highway section is certainly an important event. But we need to be cautious and critical. Is this really the beginning of a new era for Serbia or just another big construction story with a lot of noise and little benefit for the common man? While we wait for the travel time to shorten by 30 minutes, maybe it’s time to ask – what is the real cost of development?
And you? Do you think such investments are the right path for Serbia or just an expensive show for the public? Drop a comment, spark a debate on social media, or just make your friends laugh with this story – because hey, who doesn’t love a good highway and a little drama?
