(PHOTO) The most demanding subsection on Corridor Vc will be completed next year

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Klopče – Donja Gračanica subsection of the A1 highway is one of the most demanding subsections on Corridor Vc. Its total length is 5.78 kilometers, and significant works on the subsection include the construction of four viaducts, two mountain tunnels, and a bridge.

The route of this subsection is intersected by three large landslides: Talami, Ričice, and Pehare. Therefore, the execution of works along the entire route is carried out in geologically very complex terrain conditions, which were not detailed in the main project, leading to adjustments in the highway route and extensions of construction deadlines.

“Despite the numerous problems and challenges we have encountered on this subsection, caused by the extremely poor geological – morphological soil configuration, we expect the completion of works by the end of the 2020 construction season. The total percentage of contracted works completed so far on the Klopče – Donja Gračanica subsection is 67%“, said Samir Pirić, engineer at JP Autoceste FBiH.

One of the most demanding construction objects on this subsection is the Babina rijeka bridge, built using the free cantilever construction technology, spanning across the valley or riverbed of Babina rijeka at a maximum height of 120 meters from the river level to the road surface. The end spans are 110 meters long, and the main span is 165 meters.

According to Samir Pirić, the connection of the right Babina rijeka bridge is planned for mid-September.

On the mentioned subsection, 55 kilometers of geotechnical anchors and 26 kilometers of piles with a diameter of 120 to 150 cm will be installed for ground stabilization. So far, 13,350 tons of reinforcement have been installed, and 6 kilometers of high-voltage network have been relocated. Also, the total volume of excavation on this subsection is 1,650,000 m3, part of which will be used in the embankment.

This subsection includes the route on the right bank of the Bosna River with a roundabout, connection to M17, the Drivuša bridge, and the route on the left bank of the Bosna River with a roundabout, connection to R445.

The contract value is EUR 107,879,289.94 including VAT, and the funds are secured through international financial institutions: the OPEC Fund for International Development and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The works are carried out by the consortium Euro-asfalt and Strabag AG. Supervision of the works is carried out by JV Egis International & Ipsa Institut d.o.o.

As already known, works on the first kilometers of the Zenica bypass, specifically the Drivuša – Klopče subsection with a length of 2.23 kilometers, have been completed.
The most demanding structures on this subsection were the Drivuša bridge, 650 m long, and the Perin Han viaduct, 400 meters long. Their width is 13.6 meters.
The contractor for the Drivuša – Klopče subsection was Hering d.d. Široki Brijeg, and supervision was carried out by the consortium Divel d.o.o. Sarajevo and M/S The Associated Engineering Partnership. The construction of the Drivuša – Klopče subsection cost EUR 33,527,849.36 including VAT, and the works were financed by a loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAER).

Photos of the construction of the most demanding subsection on Corridor 5c are available at jpautoceste.ba.