Montenegro’s Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that an environmental impact assessment report is not required for three sections of the Kolašin–Mojkovac road reconstruction, the agency said. The decision covers part of a project spanning about 21.35 km, divided into four sections and led by the Transport Administration.
Project documentation describes the existing road as unsatisfactory, particularly for safety and traffic through populated areas. It lists poor road geometry, limited capacity, routes passing through urban areas, conflicts with city streets and numerous illegal access points among the main problems. The documents also link the road’s geometry and its relationship with settlements to low safety levels and pedestrian-vehicle crashes.
The reconstruction is planned mainly along the existing alignment, with curves and cross slopes to be corrected and the carriageway widened on bends so two trucks with trailers can pass. The documents record pavement damage, poor culvert conditions and rockfall hazards, attributing pavement deterioration to increased traffic and delayed maintenance. Two passing lanes, approximately 781 and 784 metres long, are planned on the third section; construction along the road leaves insufficient room for them on the second.
More extensive works are planned at Štitarica Tunnel, whose concrete lining is locally cracked and damaged and allows water through in places. Its existing cross-section does not meet current standards for clearance and road elements. At the approximately 33-metre bridge over the Štitarica River, the plans include widening, a pedestrian path, new waterproofing and asphalt, replacement of expansion joints and painting the railing.
The approximately 117-metre bridge over the Tara near the turn-off for Mojkovac is also to be widened because its current width is inadequate. The project includes a new intersection for Štitarica, improvements to access roads towards Mojkovac and reconstruction of the Žabljak intersection. Sidewalks and bus stops are planned in Podbišće.
Other planned works include retaining walls, slope protection and drainage. The assessment decision applies to three of the four sections in the wider reconstruction project.
