Macedonia's Transport Minister Nikolloski Unveils Six New Highway Projects

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikolloski announced that North Macedonia is simultaneously constructing six major motorways, a scale unprecedented in the region. The flagship Skopje–Bllace (Shkup–Bllacë) highway will link the capital with ports in Albania and Montenegro and provide a modern corridor to Kosovo. Nikolloski said a grant of about €31 million from the European Union, roughly 15 % of the project’s value, has been secured: “We signed the grant agreement on Monday. These funds lower the direct cost the state must pay and show strong European confidence.”

The project will be built by a domestic consortium led by Granit, marking a rare instance of a Macedonian company winning a large‑scale road contract. Other highways under construction include Kičevo–Ohrid (37 km built, 34 km already in service), Gostivar–Bučocani (17 of 31 km completed), Tetovo–Gostivar, Bitola–Prilep (the longest current project), and a new 12‑km Bučocani–Kičevo segment slated to start within days with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Nikolloski highlighted that these works will modernise the national road network, boost regional trade, and demonstrate the capacity of Macedonian construction firms.

He also criticised the former ruling party, noting that “BDI promised this for 20 years but never built it,” underscoring the government’s commitment to deliver the infrastructure.