Pope Francis' Visit: Traffic Regime Changed on June 5 and 6, 2015

The Ministry of Transport of Sarajevo Canton informs the public that on June 6, 2015, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, a modified traffic regime will be in effect, on the occasion of the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sarajevo, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

Namely, on the mentioned day, from 7 AM to 8 PM, in the streets along the route of His Holiness, within the protected zone, there will be a complete traffic stoppage. The timing, sections, and implementation of this will be carried out by authorized bodies and officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton. It is noted that traffic will be rerouted to alternative directions at the first intersections before and after the section where traffic is stopped. In this regard, all traffic participants are urged to be patient, tolerant, and understanding, and to follow and obey the orders of authorized officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton.

It is important to emphasize that there will not be a continuous traffic stoppage; traffic will be gradually restored after the passage of His Holiness and his entourage, depending on the street, location, and schedule of passage.

The streets where traffic will be stopped, viewed from the direction of the Airport in relation to the route of His Holiness and his entourage during arrival and return, are: Kurta Schorka Street, Stupska petlja, Džemala Bijedića, Bulevar Meše Selimovića, Zmaja od Bosne, Hiseta, Reisa Džemaludina Čauševića, Mis Irbina, Musala, Maršala Tita, Alipašina, the bypass road next to the Olympic Stadium “Asim Ferhatović Hase” (from Patriotske lige Street to Alipašina Street), Betanija, Obala Kulina Bana, Vilsonovo šetalište, Kotromanića, Kulovića, Dalmatinska, Mehmed paše Sokolovića, Pehlivanuša, Muse Ćazima Ćatića, Josipa Štadlera, Mula Mustafe Bašeskije, Telali, Čemaluša, Ferhadija - pedestrian zone in the part of the protected zone of movement of His Holiness Pope Francis, Vrbanja, Franje Račkog, Stjepana Tomića, Terezija, Zagrebačka, Hamdije Čemerlića, Prijedorska, Srđana Aleksića from the intersection with Bulevar Meše Selimovića Street in the direction towards Istiklal Mosque for a length of approx. 300 meters, Brčanska, Žrtava fašizma, Gatačka.

As part of the approved traffic regime change, citizens are also informed of the following:

The movement of all heavy goods vehicles with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 3,500 kg is prohibited in the Canton of Sarajevo on June 6, 2015, between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
Stopping and parking of all vehicles is prohibited along the route of the aforementioned streets within a 30-meter wide protected zone from the outer edge of the roadway on both sides.
Stopping and parking of vehicles in street parking lots in Reisa Dž. Čauševića, Mis Irbina, and Musala streets is prohibited on June 5, 2015, from 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM and from 12:00 AM to 8:00 PM on June 6, 2015.
Between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM on June 6, 2015, periodic rerouting of traffic flows will occur in Reisa Džemaludina Čauševića, Maršala Tita, Stjepana Tomića, and Radićeva streets, into one-way or two-way traffic regimes.
The timing of traffic rerouting in the mentioned streets within the specified period will be determined by the Operational Bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, depending on the plan and program of the convoy's movement, as well as the situation on the ground.
On June 6, 2015, between 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM, KJKP “GRAS” will establish tram service on the Ilidža-Skenderija (turnaround) route. The number of vehicles will be adjusted to the transport needs of arriving pilgrims and other public transport users, except between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM on the same day, when the public transport operator KJKP “GRAS”, through its competent service and in cooperation and agreement with the Operational Bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, will adjust the maintenance and changes of all forms of public passenger transport.

On June 6, 2015, between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, taxi stands located along the route of streets where traffic regime changes are being implemented, and which are within the 30-meter zone from the outer edges of the roadway on both sides, must be relocated to adjacent taxi stands outside the protected zone.

The Ministry of Transport, in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, has secured parking space for 684 buses that will transport pilgrims to Sarajevo on the day of Pope Francis' visit (organized transport from BiH and abroad).

Buses will be located at the following sites: Slatina parking lot, Stjepana Tomića Street, parking lot in front of the maternity hospital “Zehra Mujdović”, “Opel” parking lot in Alipašina Street, parking lot in front of Bosnalijek, the plateau - parking lot in front of the bus and train station, parking lot within the “CAMPUS” area, Vilsonovo šetalište, Kotromanića, Franje Račkog streets, Vrbanja parking lot, parking lot in front of Aquarius, and the parking lot near the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey. Reserve parking spaces have also been secured: near Otoka stadium, “Energoinvest”, TAS Vogošća, and near the RTV building.

Buses carrying pilgrims with “special needs” will be provided with direct access to the Koševo stadium.

Members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton will direct buses to parking lots at the city entrances from the direction of Vogošća, Ilidža, and Pale.

Pilgrims not arriving in organized groups will be able to use other parking lots in the Canton of Sarajevo, as well as parking lots within residential areas.

A large number of motorcyclists from abroad and BiH are expected, and a parking location has been designated for them within the schoolyard of Primary School “Nafija Sarajlić” in Patriotske lige Street.

The Government of Sarajevo Canton has approved the free use of parking lots under its jurisdiction.

Commercial companies, institutions, and the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey have made their parking areas available for bus parking free of charge as a contribution to this significant event.

Vehicles parked on the convoy's route will be removed by the “PAUK SLUŽBA” (Towing Service) of KJKP “RAD” Sarajevo, with the presence of the competent police department, to the following locations:

- for the municipalities of Stari Grad Sarajevo and Centar Sarajevo – Skenderija parking lot in Skenderija Street,

- for the municipalities of Centar Sarajevo and Novo Sarajevo – parking lot in Franca Lehara Street

- parking lot below SOS Village in Mojmilo for the municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo.

Citizens can obtain information regarding relocated vehicles by calling the duty phone at KJKP “RAD” Sarajevo – 033 611-514.

UG BIHAMK will provide on-site duty services, with their mobile teams located at three locations: near AVAZ in Nedarići, at Otoka near the mosque, and near the Museum. Mobile teams consist of towing services and emergency repair vehicles (contact tel. 1282 and 033 282-122).

Given that funerals and janazah prayers will be postponed on the day of Pope Francis' arrival, funeral companies KJKP “Pokop”, UG “Bakije”, and UG “Jedileri” for the transport of the deceased can contact the duty officer at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton at phone number 033 286-748, who will provide an escort or detailed instructions for transporting the deceased to the funeral company's premises.

At locations where the highest concentration of buses is expected, water tankers with drinking water have been provided for pilgrims (Kampus parking – two tankers and in Kotromanića Street – one tanker near the car wash).

Mobile teams from the Sarajevo Canton Health Center will be deployed at five locations.

The Vrhbosna Archdiocese of Sarajevo has provided over 100 volunteers who will be available to assist pilgrims on site.

Considering the above and the fact that a very large influx of buses with pilgrims is expected from early Saturday morning, estimated by the organizers to be slightly over 700, as well as other vehicles, the relevant ministry asks the citizens of Sarajevo Canton to use their motor vehicles as little as possible on June 6, 2015, so that we can all personally contribute to ensuring that the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis proceeds in the best possible way and that traffic flows smoothly.

The Ministry of Transport of Sarajevo Canton calls on all legal and natural persons based in the Canton of Sarajevo to plan and coordinate their activities for June 6, 2015 (Saturday) with the approved traffic regime.