Macedonia to launch construction of the Skopje‑Blace highway this summer

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Alexander Nikoloski announced that a consortium headed by the Macedonian construction firm Granite will begin building the second 10.5‑km segment of the Skopje‑Blace motorway this summer. The project, worth roughly €200 million, is expected to be completed in 3.5 years. It will feature five tunnels, two galleries, twelve bridges and about 40 additional structures along a total route of 12.5 km, forming a strategic corridor that links Macedonia with Kosovo and, via the border crossing at Blace, with Montenegro and the Port of Bar. The selection of the contractor was completed in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Nikoloski said the highway will boost regional connectivity, trade and investment, and demonstrate that Macedonian companies can deliver large‑scale infrastructure projects. Opposition party VLEN had previously criticised delays, but the government now confirms the works are under way.