Prilep, 14 September 2023 (MIA) - Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski addressed on Thursday an event launching construction works at the Corridor 10d Prilep-Bitola section. Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski, State Roads Public Enterprise director Ejup Rustemi, Bechtel and Enka representatives and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, Eric Meyer, also attended the event.

"With the construction of this section, we get the most modern highway solution in the length of 40 kilometers, and thus, a large construction infrastructure offensive in terms of new, modern highways in our country will be practically completed. Construction works are in full swing on the Gradsko-Prilep section, where, just a few days ago, we had the opportunity to see the digging of the second tunnel at the Farishka Gorge. Construction works are also underway along the section leading to the Farishka Gorge, which means that with the completion of all these roads, we will have a complete highway solution from Corridor 10, the exit to Prilep, Bitola and the road to Medzhitlia towards the Greek border," said the PM, adding that all this has been promised to the citizens of the region for decades, but has not been realized so far. 

The construction works are the biggest road investment in the country. Kovachevski pointed out that fairs on the works along Corridors 8 and 10d are currently underway, and will be held across the country.  

A fair is taking place in Prilep on Thursday. About 2,000 workers are needed for all construction works on the Corridors, and so far there have been over 360 applications.

According to the Minister of Transport and Communications, construction works on the ground are gaining momentum and are very important for the economic and infrastructural development of the Pelagonia region.

"Putting skepticism aside, the Pelagonia region needs a new highway, new investments, and the construction of this highway is a response to all the demands of the citizens of this region. The construction works on the ground are getting their own dynamics, today's blasting is part of the overall process for the construction of this road section between Prilep and Bitola, and I want to stress that the activities are being realized faster than the expected and planned dynamics," said Bochvarski. 

According to Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, Eric Meyer, this is a great success and undertaking and is important for the entire development of the Republic of North Macedonia and for attracting foreign investments. 

"This highway section is very important for the Republic of North Macedonia, especially for Prilep and Bitola, because it connects them with a modern and reliable highway solution. Jobs are being created for citizens and the private sector is also developing," Meyer said.

A modified approach to shorten the time is used to carry out all activities of the project in parallel, including permits, expropriation, and construction activities.  

"We have an excellent pace for geotechnical investigations on all routes. At the same time, we have already prepared reports on expropriation, some of them have already been submitted to the Bureau of Expertise, and all state institutions related to expropriation are working intensively. We are here today, and we are starting the construction works. This is a historic project with which we complete the road infrastructure in Macedonia. We will build 23 kilometers per year. In order to avoid problems, as in the case of the Kichevo-Ohrid highway, we changed the model of work with Bechtel and Enka," said State Roads Public Enterprise director Ejup Rustemi, adding that all procedures that have previously taken 10 years will now be implemented in five years. 

The Prilep-Gradsko highway is to be constructed in 57 months. 

Photo: Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski's Facebook Page