Vučić and the Chinese Danube Bridge: Real Development or Just Another Construction Fairy Tale?
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is back on the ground, visiting the construction site of the Danube bridge near Petrovaradin, part of the famous Fruška Gora Corridor. This bridge, set to be the largest on the Danube in Serbia, is part of the fast road Novi Sad – Ruma, with an impressive total length of 44.41 kilometers.
Chinese Invasion of Serbian Infrastructure?
The works are carried out by the Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation, which has become a standard in Serbia. With 54 units of machinery and hundreds of workers, they are rushing to complete this grand project. But is this really development or just another Chinese investment with hidden costs?
Tunnel and Bridge – Technical Spectacle or Expensive Mistake?
The Fruška Gora Corridor includes the longest tunnel in Serbia, “Iriški Venac,” 3.5 kilometers long, passing through complex geological conditions. The Danube bridge is 28 meters wide and includes 2-meter-wide bicycle lanes, which sounds nice, but will it be enough to justify the huge costs?
Why Does It Matter?
This corridor connects Novi Sad, Ruma, Šabac, Loznica, and the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing an important traffic link with the western part of Serbia and the wider international environment. It is supposed to relieve traffic in urban areas and remove transit through the Fruška Gora National Park.
But Wait, There Are Numbers!
So far, over 99% of piles, over 96% of pillars and bearing beams have been completed, and over 92% of T-beams installed. The first inclined cable of the bridge was installed in November, and the last pylons, 25 meters high, were completed in December.
Is This Really a Step Forward or Just Another Political Performance?
Vučić loves to pose at construction sites, but citizens wonder – how much will this cost us and when will we actually see the benefits? Chinese loans, debts, and the sustainability of such projects remain open questions.
Conclusion
The Fruška Gora Corridor and the Danube bridge are impressive projects on paper. But will they bring real development or remain just another big construction fairy tale? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Is this an investment that will pull Serbia forward or just another expensive show for the public? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s for and who’s against this grand project!
