# Infrastructure developments and transport unrest in Balkans

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/infrastructure-development-and-roadworks-in-montenegro-and
> Updated: 2026-09-10T06:19:09.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 2.

Infrastructure developments in Montenegro and Serbia have recently seen both completions and significant ongoing disruptions. In Montenegro, the Municipality of Herceg Novi completed a 400-meter road to connect the Drenovik settlement to the Igalu business zone. In Serbia, the city of Kragujevac finished paving a two-kilometer stretch of 14. oktobar street to serve as a northern bypass. However, Montenegro is simultaneously experiencing widespread traffic disruptions due to ongoing roadworks. The Auto-moto Association of Montenegro (AMSCG) reported that vehicle and pedestrian traffic is suspended on the M-6 highway between Pljevlja and Žabljak for the reconstruction of the Đurđevića Tara bridge, a project expected to continue until late October 2026.

Regarding regional transport unrest, transport companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have indefinitely postponed a planned regional blockade of 21 border crossings into the European Union, originally scheduled for September 14, 2026. The protest was organized to demand changes to the Schengen 90/180-day rule, which drivers argue threatens the sustainability of their companies. The Logistics BiH Consortium had proposed increasing the allowed stay to between 125 and 130 days within a 180-day period.

The decision to halt the protest follows recent negotiations with European Union representatives, including the EU Mission in Belgrade. Officials reported progress in defining timelines for issuing special visas for professional drivers, which could mitigate the impact of the current entry/exit system. While the blockade is on hold, transport associations emphasized that they will continue to monitor whether these institutional commitments are met. Bosnian Minister of Communications and Transport, Edin Forto, warned that failure to resolve these issues could negatively impact the economies of both the Western Balkans and the European Union.

## Claims

- The planned border blockade scheduled for September 14 has been postponed indefinitely. (disputed by 8 sources)
- professional transporters from the Western Balkans will not back down from the decision to block all border crossings to EU countries on September 14 (disputed by 7 sources)
- the European Commission announced it will not change Schengen rules (corroborated by 7 sources)
- transporters from the Balkans need to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Transport companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia announced a joint regional protest starting September 14. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Negotiations with the EU have shown progress regarding special visas for professional drivers. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- we will block freight terminals and railways for semi-trailers (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The planned blockade will target a total of 21 border crossings into European Union member states. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Nikola Brković of the Logistics Consortium stated that the European Commission has failed to provide a concrete solution despite acknowledging the issue. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The consortium has proposed increasing the allowed stay for professional drivers to between 125 and 130 days within a 180-day period. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Western Balkan transport protest postponed after EU visa progress

Regional truck driver protests across the Western Balkans against Schengen stay rules have been postponed following reported progress in EU negotiations regarding special visas for professional drivers.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/western-balkan-carriers-plan-eu-border-blockades

### 2026-09-02: Western Balkan transporters plan EU border blockade on September 14

Transporters from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro plan to block EU border crossings on September 14 to protest Schengen stay limits for professional drivers.

27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-roadworks-cause-traffic-closures-and-delays

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Cite as: Infrastructure developments and transport unrest in Balkans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/infrastructure-development-and-roadworks-in-montenegro-and