North Macedonia transport issues plague Tetovo-Gostivar region

Residents in the Polog region of North Macedonia are facing significant transportation challenges due to deteriorating road conditions and a lack of public transit alternatives. The Tetovo-Gostivar highway has been criticized for failing to meet basic safety standards, with damaged lanes, frequent potholes, and a lack of emergency stopping areas, making high-speed travel dangerous. While construction on a new highway is underway, it is not expected to be completed until 2028.

Simultaneously, the region is struggling with rising intercity bus fares and the absence of functional rail services. The train line connecting Skopje to Tetovo, Gostivar, and Kërçova remains inactive. The Ministry of Transport has stated that they are working on documentation, in coordination with the European Union, to develop the Skopje–Tetovo–Gostivar railway line as part of the Corridor 8 development. This project is intended to eventually extend toward Albania.