The project will reduce travel times by half, which will accelerate the flow of people and goods, resulting in economic growth and increased investment. “This is the best highway in Serbia, and I am proud because it will mean more jobs and more investment for our country.” said Aleksandar Vučić, Serbian President at the opening event.
The motorway is not only a catalyst for economic growth, but also an opportunity for local communities to develop new skills and grow their businesses. More specifically, roughly 40% of the project’s four thousand employees are Serbian, and Bechtel has awarded 80% of its subcontracts and purchase orders to Serbian companies.
“With each new section opening, the Morava Motorway is transforming lives for thousands of Serbians,” said Darren Mort, President of Bechtel’s Infrastructure business. “As we’ve seen around the world, making travel safer and more efficient enhances wellbeing, boosts productivity and supports local economies. This milestone adds to what has been a very exciting year for the Bechtel-ENKA team, having recently won international awards on this project for environmental stewardship, global program management and financing.”
It will be Serbia’s first digital highway, featuring a fiber optic cable alongside the road to enhance traffic management. The motorway incorporates a robust floodwater defense system, designed to protect local communities from flooding challenges that have plagued the region for centuries. It will provide access to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia and includes 12 interchanges, 79 bridges, 27 overpasses, 11 underpasses, 140 culverts and 37km of river regulation.
