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Montenegro tourism strain deepens amid bridge closure
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2026-07-26 21:03 UTC → 2026-07-29 09:57 UTC ·
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Montenegro tourism boost strained by strain deepens amid bridge closure
Tourist arrivals kept rising continued to rise in July, but yet the scheduled full shutdown of the Đurđevića Tara bridge—from bridge on the M‑6 road—from 10 August to the end of October—has sparked fresh worries. intensified concerns. Local entrepreneurs argue the closure could cut tourism revenue entrepreneurs, led by up to 60 % and force layoffs, especially businessman Đorđe Kljajević, warn that the bridge is the primary access point for the popular rafting launch at site Žugića Luka, which attracted around 17,500 visitors Luka and estimate a 60 % drop in August 2025. tourism revenue, potentially forcing up to 50 % of staff into layoffs. The bridge works have also intensified traffic congestion across business community has appealed to the western Balkans during Montenegrin Ministry of Transport to postpone the start of reconstruction until at least 1 September to protect the peak season. Heavy‑truck bans and alternating The government’s Auto moto savez Crne Gore has rolled out a broader set of temporary traffic restrictions. A ban on heavy trucks over 3.5 t on the M‑6 highway, combined bridge began on 4 March 2026, while passenger and bus traffic operated on alternating schedules from 1 June to 9 August. The bridge will be completely closed to all vehicles and pedestrians from 10 August through 26 October 2026. Additional road works affect state roads R‑29, R‑30, R‑17 and R‑3, imposing alternating closures and time‑restricted bans. Heavy‑vehicle limits (over 7.5 t) are in place on major highways M‑1, M‑2, M‑3 and M‑10 from 15 June to 15 September, with nightly curfews and extended hours on weekends. A separate ban restricts buses and campers on the bridge shutdown, were cited as contributors Kotor‑Trojica route until 15 October. These measures have heightened traffic congestion across the western Balkans, contributing to long queues on major highways and border crossings in Croatia, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Bosnia‑Herzegovina and Austria. Authorities continue to enforce the temporary traffic regime, urging motorists to follow detours, respect lane‑alternation schedules, schedules and allow extra travel time while the reconstruction proceeds.
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- 2026-07-29 09:57 UTC Montenegro tourism strain deepens amid bridge closure
- 2026-07-26 21:03 UTC Montenegro tourism boost strained by bridge closure
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