Value of 76.5 million euros: Contract signed for the construction of the highway north of Zenica

MOSTAR, (Patria) - At the headquarters of JP Autoceste FBiH, a Contract for the construction of the highway on Corridor Vc, section Poprikuše – Zenica north (Donja Gračanica), subsection Vranduk – Ponirak was signed. The contract was signed by Adnan Terzić, director of JP Autoceste FBiH as the investor, and on behalf of the consortium of contractors Ahmet Murat Turkoglu, director of Azvirt L.L.C (Azerbaijan) and Mario Bevanda, on behalf of Hering d.d. Široki Brijeg (BiH), and Denis Lasić, Minister of Transport and Communications of FBiH as a witness.

The value of the Contract for the construction of the Vranduk – Ponirak subsection is 76,592,799.03 euros with VAT, and the funds were secured through the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

“I would like to thank OFID for the financing and the Government of the Federation of BiH for the support, and to express the wish that the construction of this subsection proceeds within the deadline and quality as we requested in our tender procedures. Today we have started a new phase of the investment cycle which should continue very soon in the next twenty days with the signing of contracts for two lots of the Počitelj – Zvirovići section.

Also, towards the north, the Donja Gračanica – Zenica Tunnel subsection will be built with the aim of descending to M17 on the section from Vranduk to Nemila, which means that by the summer holidays we will have 36 kilometers of Corridor Vc under construction. I think that for this first phase, this investment cycle is a very extensive and demanding job, primarily for the people working in JP Autoceste FBiH as well as for the contractors,” said Terzić.

On behalf of the consortium of contractors, Turkoglu addressed the attendees, stating that together with Hering, they are highly motivated to contribute to an accelerated start, as well as an efficient and professional execution of the works.

“In the execution of the Vranduk – Ponirak section, we will implement our modern, innovative technology and a professional team of experts. Azvirt can meet the requirements of the most demanding infrastructure projects,” emphasized Turkoglu.

Minister Lasić stated that he is convinced that this consortium will complete the project signed today with quality and ahead of schedule, and that this consortium, as well as other interested parties, will start building other sections on Corridor Vc. The route of the highway subsection Vranduk – Ponirak is part of the Poprikuše – Zenica north section, which continues to the north with the Nemila – Vranduk subsection and to the south with the Ponirak – Vraca subsection.

Support walls, two bridges, three viaducts, and a tunnel will be built along the length of 5.3 kilometers. The planned construction period is 24 months.