A European country is constructing a new highway with the hope that it will strengthen its future connection with the European Union. Bosnia and Herzegovina is undertaking one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Western Balkans. The Corridor Vc will connect the Croatian port of Ploče with Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital, Sarajevo, and other industrial cities along the north-south route. This route will not only link areas immediately adjacent to the country but will also ensure Bosnia and Herzegovina better connectivity with the entire Balkan region, thereby creating more favorable conditions for access to European markets. The plan for the road development started over twenty years ago, but significant delays have been experienced, more than once. Currently, construction is underway on just over 50 km out of the total 337 km of the planned highway. The cost of the Corridor Vc is expected to reach an impressive €4.4 billion, contributed by various organizations.
The EU has provided more than €871 million in grants for the project, while the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have each issued loans of about €1 billion. The approval of EU grants can take years, contributing to the project's delays. Nonetheless, according to Ferdinand König, head of communications for the EU delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, the highway is expected to be completed by 2030. The need for the highway is attributed to the fact that European companies are increasingly opening manufacturing plants in Bosnia due to low labor costs, but inadequate infrastructure impedes the smooth transport of goods to European countries. According to the Bosnia-based NCMC, a leading provider of warehouse technology and intelligent storage solutions, there are many challenges due to the condition of local roads. Bosnia is not an EU member, which presents further obstacles during the transportation of goods. Locals believe the highway would be beneficial for the country's economy, as crossing the EU's external borders currently causes delays for the workforce.
