Montenegro has launched a tender valued at approximately €968,000 including VAT for the second phase of the Velje Duboko–Kapetanovo Lake road improvements, as part of ongoing investments in the nation’s mountain tourism infrastructure.
The Ministry of Public Works has set the contract value at €800,000 excluding VAT. The design for this project was created by the Podgorica-based firm Geoprojekt Perišić, and the contractor selected will have 150 calendar days to complete the work after site possession.
Bids for this project are due by November 16, 2026. This road serves as a vital access point to mountainous regions associated with rural tourism and the broader Kolašin area, where there has been a surge in investments aimed at hotels, apartments, and ski facilities in recent years.
While this contract is relatively small compared to Montenegro’s motorway and railway initiatives, enhancing local road access can significantly impact tourism growth. Poor transportation links tend to increase travel times, deter day visitors, and elevate costs for constructing and operating accommodations.
Improved road connectivity is expected to benefit guesthouses, restaurants, outdoor activities, and future tourism developments around Kapetanovo Lake and its adjacent mountainous regions. This initiative is part of a larger infrastructure program focused on Kolašin.
The region has seen considerable private real estate investment following the completion of the first section of the Bar–Boljare motorway and the establishment of ski centers Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600. These two ski resorts are preparing to reopen approximately 45 kilometres of ski slopes for the upcoming winter season after making repairs to their cableway systems.
However, rapid tourism expansion in the area has revealed significant infrastructure challenges. Issues such as road access, electricity supply, water systems, and artificial snowmaking capabilities remain critical limitations. The reliance on natural snowfall for resort revenue underscores the importance of reliable snowmaking facilities.
Local road projects should be viewed within a wider context of required investments rather than as standalone construction efforts. For investors in mountain hotels and residential projects, accessibility plays a crucial role in determining asset value.
Enhanced roads can expand the effective tourism catchment area and facilitate development beyond traditional ski resort zones. For government authorities, smaller regional projects can contribute to more equitable economic development by improving access to rural businesses and villages.
The Velje Duboko–Kapetanovo Lake contract is currently moving into procurement rather than construction stages, thus limiting its immediate economic impact. However, once awarded, this project will contribute to northern Montenegro’s growing pipeline of tourism infrastructure initiatives and aid in transforming Kolašin from a seasonal ski destination into a year-round mountain market.
