Businessmen Ready for Lawsuits: Postpone Crnaja Tunnel Renovation and Find Alternative Solution

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Association of Employers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is asking the Government of the Federation of BiH to postpone the start of works on the reconstruction of the Crnaja tunnel and the suspension of traffic on the M-17 main road connecting the north and south of our country, on the Jablanica-Konjic section.

In a letter sent to the Federal Government, the UP FBiH insists on an urgent meeting at which uninterrupted traffic flow on this section would be precisely agreed upon and that the traffic suspension should not be applied before the meeting is held.

“This is one of the busiest sections in the country, and the suspension of traffic would result in unforeseeable consequences and huge damages for business entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it will particularly affect businessmen from Mostar, Jablanica, Konjic, as well as traders, tourism and hospitality companies, and all those whose activities are related to the movement of people and goods. For the economy of BiH, which is already suffering great consequences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the suspension of traffic due to the reconstruction of the Crnaja tunnel is an additional blow from which it will be even harder to recover in the coming period,” emphasize the UP FBiH.

They recall the great consequences and enormous damages suffered by the BiH economy due to traffic suspensions and the lack of timely resolution of an alternative route during the reconstruction of the Vranduk tunnel. The consequences could be much greater this time, as the COVID-19 pandemic has already severely shaken the economy of FBiH and BiH. The UPFBiH states that they are surprised by the decision of the Government of FBiH to proceed with the project of reconstructing the Crnaja tunnel, because at a joint meeting of representatives of UPFBiH, the Government of FBiH, and competent authorities responsible for roads, it was agreed to build a new tunnel, not reconstruct the existing one. They also recall Article 73 of the Law on Roads of FBiH, which stipulates that “The prohibition or restriction of traffic must be announced in a timely manner through the public media or in another suitable way according to local conditions and marked with appropriate traffic signs on the road,” which was not done in the case of the traffic suspension due to the reconstruction of the Crnaja tunnel.

UPFBiH will form an expert team that will be available to all members of the Association who decide to file lawsuits seeking compensation for damages that will be suffered, which will undoubtedly occur if the traffic suspensions due to the reconstruction of the Crnaja tunnel are insisted upon.