Serbia Builds Highways Like Never Before: 13 Years, 500 km of New Roads and an Economic Boom!
Imagine this: Serbia has built more highways in the last 13 years than in the previous 67 years combined! Yes, you read that right! While past decades crawled at a snail’s pace, the country is now speeding full throttle towards a modern transport network.
A Fast Ride Through History
From 2009 until today, about 500 kilometers of new highways and expressways have been constructed. For comparison, from 1942 to 2009, only about 200 kilometers were built! It’s like Serbia suddenly switched from a bicycle to a race car overnight.
Where and What is Being Built?
Currently, nearly 500 kilometers of new roads are under construction. Key projects include the Belgrade–Zrenjanin–Novi Sad highway, which will connect the northern parts of the country and improve transport connectivity. Also nearing completion are the Čačak–Kraljevo–Preljina–Abrani highway and the Vrba–Vrnjačka Banja section.
Especially important is the Čačak–Požega highway, which will not only shorten the route to Zlatibor but also aid in the ecological cleanup of the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge and boost tourism in the area. This 19.5-kilometer section was recently opened and is already making a difference in travel speed and safety.
Economy on the Highway
Building these roads isn’t just about asphalt and concrete. It’s about investments, new factories, and jobs. For example, the arrival of the PWO factory in Čačak is a direct result of improved transport infrastructure. Serbia is slowly but surely becoming a regional hub, and highways are the main drivers.
Plans for the Future
And it’s not over! Work on the “Miloš Veliki” highway towards the border with Montenegro near Boljare is in full swing. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced that highway and expressway construction will continue, as it is a key priority for the country’s further economic and social development.
Why Does This Matter?
Imagine how many times traveling to Zlatibor or other tourist destinations was a pain due to bad roads and traffic jams. Now, thanks to these projects, travel is faster, safer, and more comfortable. That means less stress for drivers, less pollution, and more tourists coming to enjoy nature.
Is Everything Perfect?
Of course, there’s always room for criticism. Some will say the pace of construction is still slow compared to Western Europe. Others will point to the cost and financing methods. But the fact remains: something is being done, and Serbia is changing for the better.
Conclusion
In the last 13 years, Serbia has made a huge leap in building transport infrastructure. With nearly 500 kilometers of new highways and as much more under construction, the country is slowly turning into a regional transport hub. Investments in roads bring new factories, jobs, and a better life for citizens.
If you’ve ever been stuck in a traffic jam on a highway, now’s the time to smile and say, “Well, at least something’s happening!” And if you have a story from our new highways, feel free to share it — maybe your anecdote will become an internet hit!
Source: b92.net
What do you think? Is Serbia really building highways like never before, or is this just good PR? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s for and who’s against!
