Montenegro’s updated draft transport strategy schedules the Budva bypass for completion in 2031 and raises the estimated cost of the Smokovac–Tološi section to 236 million euros, from 180 million euros in the earlier draft. The Ministry of Transport made the changes in responses to public consultation comments; the revised document is dated 28 October.
The bypass completion date was moved from 2029 to 2031 after LINERK Montenegro Center asked for the strategy to match the contracted works schedule. The Ministry said 2031 was already the completion date in the current Implementation Programme and updated the strategy accordingly. The design and construction contract was signed on 29 June 2026, with a deadline of 48 months from the contractor’s introduction to the site.
The revised Smokovac–Tološi estimate is an update to the draft’s base estimate of 180 million euros. The Ministry noted that the supplied cost figures exclude VAT and a contingency reserve. In the implementation-plan table, that reserve is added according to the project’s level of preparedness.
LINERK also questioned how the draft’s 6.835 billion euros in total costs for measures related to an approximately 3 billion euros financial framework through 2035. The Ministry said the framework is a moderate projection of potentially available funding for all types of transport expenditure, not a funding level for a particular set of draft measures. It includes investment, management and maintenance, as well as public-service obligations.
Implementation will depend on priorities and the availability of funds, the Ministry said, with access to European Union funds and international financial institution financing uncertain. It added that intergovernmental agreements could create additional funding opportunities.
Airport plans broadened beyond concessions
The draft’s plans for Podgorica and Tivat airports were changed so infrastructure development does not depend on the outcome of a concession. The Civil Aviation Agency had asked that a concession no longer be treated as a prerequisite, and proposed planning capacity for at least 15 years, phased expansion and action to address existing bottlenecks. The Ministry accepted the proposal.
The Ministry removed a measure to monitor the concession contract, describing it as outdated, and proposed a new infrastructure measure covering development of both main airports and updates to their master plans. Accepted proposals from the Ministry of Defence include funding from the state budget, co-financing from EU funds and development of Podgorica Airport’s capacity for civil and military use.
The Ministry partly accepted a proposal from NGO Montadria to record and map other aviation infrastructure. The new measure covers small airports, airfields, heliports, water landing areas and infrastructure for unmanned aircraft, with an assessment of their condition, market and development potential. Nikšić and Berane were singled out for analysis of smaller-airport potential, which is intended to inform further investment planning.
The public consultation ran from 7 September to 2 October 2026, and 41 participants attended its roundtable.
