The Podgorica-Danilovgrad boulevard, completed two and a half years ago at a cost of 24.5 million euros, fails to meet highway standards due to an excessive number of roundabouts and connections to local roads. Consequently, Monteput issued a public call yesterday for the development of a conceptual design for a new Podgorica-Danilovgrad highway route.

This is detailed in the project terms of reference that accompany the new public call.

Last year, Monteput had already announced a public call for the conceptual design of the Danilovgrad – Nikšić expressway, indicating that it would be an extension of the Podgorica-Danilovgrad boulevard. Specifically, “the planned Danilovgrad-Nikšić expressway begins at the completed section of the Podgorica-Danilovgrad boulevard in Bralenovica (intersection at the ‘Perjanik’ motel).”

The current project terms of reference for the conceptual design of the Podgorica-Danilovgrad expressway states that the designer must review and propose a new connection between these two routes.

The reconstruction of the Podgorica – Danilovgrad highway into a 15-kilometer boulevard cost 24.5 million euros. Work commenced in July 2020, with the boulevard officially opening in July 2022. As of now, there is no estimate of the potential costs for the new expressway provided in the project terms of reference.

Pressure on Locals to Connect

As previously indicated, during the design phase, several new roundabouts and local road connections were added based on requests from local residents and the Danilovgrad local government, which were not part of the original plan. Additionally, there were protests from the residents of Grlić, Plana, Bileća, Pitoma Loza, Begovine, Ćurioc, and Tomaševići, who were subsequently compelled to connect directly to the boulevard instead of having a single access point for multiple villages and settlements.

Consequently, this boulevard did not attain higher road rank, as only in a few segments is the maximum speed allowed at 80 kilometers per hour, with lower limits in most areas. The traffic administration was the investor, and the project began under the direction of Sava Parace.

The additions of these connections, which were not sanctioned by professional advice but rather by authority decisions made after locals approached them or organized protests, were instituted by the former government throughout the design phase and early construction stages, followed by the new government during the construction in 2021 and 2022.

The project terms of reference highlight that Montenegro’s Spatial Plan anticipates a high-speed road for motor traffic, stretching from Šćepan polje (border with Bosnia and Herzegovina) to Plužine – Nikšić – Podgorica. Requirements for defining the conceptual design of this high-speed road stretch from Podgorica to Danilovgrad and examining potential alternative corridors are currently being established.

“Considering that this route will serve as a significant transportation link with Bosnia and Herzegovina post-completion of the entire project, constructing this section of the expressway will enhance regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and development,” states the task.

Improvement with Excessive Connections

It is noted that a new Spatial Plan for Montenegro until 2040 is underway, which will outline distinct corridors for main traffic routes including highways and expressways.

It also states that “previously, the technical documentation did not view this road route as a highway,” necessitating a conceptual design to finalize and specify the optimal position for the future highway corridor.

“In the past, the main road from Podgorica to Danilovgrad was reconstructed into a boulevard-type road, representing a significant improvement over previous structures. However, the numerous intersections (both roundabouts and four-way junctions) as well as the high number of connections on both sides of the road have justifiably limited speed in several spots, meaning the road does not serve the function or rank of an expressway. Therefore, the use of an alternative expressway corridor defined in the Danilovgrad Urban Development Plan is being contemplated in order to delineate the expressway’s position through the development of a conceptual design. The constructed boulevard from Podgorica to Danilovgrad will maintain its original function, while the expressway will serve transit needs,” the project terms of reference indicate.

The proposed expressway corridor, which is currently under review, aligns with the Spatial Urban Plan (SUP) of Danilovgrad as a reserved corridor for the expressway.

Seeking a Connection Without Intersections and 100 km/h Speed

The project terms of reference specify that the future expressway should minimize intersections with other roads and permit speeds of 100 km per hour for most of its length.

The objective of the new road, as stated, is to facilitate better traffic connections between Danilovgrad and Nikšić, along with Podgorica, and to connect efficiently with the Bar-Boljare highway and the Adriatic-Ionian highway. The connection with the Bar-Boljare highway is expected to occur at the interchange close to the Komanski bridge on the current Podgorica-Danilovgrad boulevard, while the future Adriatic-Ionian highway will connect via the Danilovgrad-Čevo regional road, with an interchange planned at Čevo.

Designers wishing to participate in this Monteput call should submit their applications by April 7th.

“The estimated value of the procurement is 60,000 euros, excluding VAT. The deadline for developing the conceptual design is four months from the contract’s conclusion. This conceptual design will outline the optimal route and all necessary technical conditions for the project’s further implementation. Furthermore, the utilization of an alternative corridor as envisioned by the Spatial and Urban Plan of Danilovgrad will be considered. The planned expressway, linking Podgorica with Danilovgrad and Nikšić, aims to enhance transport infrastructure and facilitate transit,” Monteput stated in its announcement.

Designers to Evaluate Two Alternatives

The designers are tasked with researching two potential route options for this expressway, as detailed in the project terms of reference. As outlined, “corridor I” is defined through the elaboration of the Danilovgrad Urban Development Plan, with an approximate length of around 11 km, while “corridor II” proposes shifting the expressway’s starting point roughly seven km towards Podgorica, offering an approximate length of around 18 km.

“The route of the first corridor is situated on the slopes of the hill, circumferencing the settlements of Gruda and Sladojevo Kopito at elevated positions, which is advantageous in terms of minimizing impacts on agricultural land. It is crucial to establish a route that will limit building demolitions and preserve the existing vegetation along the way. The path then crosses the regional road R14 (Danilovgrad-Čevo), passes over Oraška Jama, and after Orje Luka, above the Frutak settlement, connects to the expressway leading to Nikšić,” the project terms of reference indicate.

The junction connecting this expressway with the constructed boulevard is planned solely near the Begovina settlement, and at the intersection with the regional road R14 (Danilovgrad-Čevo), the designer must determine the interchange’s location.

“At the termination point, this expressway segment integrates with the expressway toward Nikšić. Based on route elements and conditions arising from alignment, as well as solutions for the Danilovgrad-Nikšić expressway, the designer is obligated to evaluate and propose a connection between these two routes. Consequently, an extract from the conceptual design for the Danilovgrad-Nikšić expressway will be made available to the designer,” the document states.

The route for the potential “corridor II” begins from the interchange with the Bar-Boljare highway near Koman, which, as noted, “offers improved connectivity between the highway and expressway,” although it is seven kilometers longer than corridor I. Both alternatives share portions of their routes.

“An assessment is necessary for the section extending from the roundabout at the Komane turnoff to the connection with the corridor defined in Corridor I. The endpoint aligns with the expressway connection above the Frutak settlement, common to both corridors. From the roundabout at the Komane turnoff to Corridor I, the designer must factor in limitations arising from the current conditions, including the Sitnica River meander, existing vineyards, and tourism-related establishments. The route defined must minimize facility demolitions and preserve the existing vineyard plots along this section,” the project terms of reference conclude.

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