Zlatibor Bypass nears completion; Vučić: "Work on the tunnel under Kadinjača to begin on October 1" PHOTO

Vučić announced that work on the tunnel under Kadinjača will begin on October 1, stressing that it is a project that has been awaited for decades and will be of great importance to Užice and Bajina Bašta.

“We are investing a great deal of money, and what is important for you, as you have already heard, is that from Požega through Užice, Gorjani, Zlakusa and Sevojno — the route will actually shift slightly, but from Zlakusa and Sevojno we will head toward Užice and Mačkat — and we will soon sign the contracts and start work. But the news that matters to you is this: on October 1, finally, after 100 years of complications and, it seems to me, 50 years of promises by all kinds of governments, work will begin on the tunnel under Kadinjača. I think this is great news for both Užice and Bajina Bašta. Better not to tell you how many difficulties and problems there have been. So, work starts on October 1, and we will complete it, overcoming one of the most difficult sections in this way and doing what is best,” Vučić said during his address.

Speaking about the Zlatibor bypass, Vučić said that the entire route would be completed, with the total value of the works estimated at between €22 million and €23 million.

“Milan spoke about this bypass: we will complete the entire bypass, and its value will be between €22 million and €23 million. So far, we have paid €7 million. It is also important for us to quickly proceed afterward with the road toward Kotroman and Višegrad. Then, it seems to me, we would connect the whole of western Serbia with good roads, attract additional investors, and once again strengthen and reinforce Zlatibor as the center of the Zlatibor District,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of developing infrastructure in the Zlatibor area, saying that better transport connections could help attract new investors and further boost tourism.

“These sports facilities are very important and need to be built in accordance with all international standards, because the nature here is magnificent and this is a wonderful place to visit. We have enough clubs of our own that, instead of spending money abroad, could leave it here, in their own country. And, of course, I am sure this will attract many others from the region and beyond — from across Southeastern Europe,” Vučić said.

He added that the state would continue to support infrastructure projects in this part of Serbia.

“We will provide all the support we can, and we have done so even when we were on different political sides, because Serbia must be in the interest of every one of us. Only when we are united we can and must do good things for all our citizens,” he said.

Sports Complex

Speaking about the works on Zlatibor, Stamatović told Tanjug that a total of 13 outdoor and indoor sports facilities are currently being built on Zlatibor, adding that the completion of the bypass and sports complex is expected in 2028.

He pointed out that the project involves the construction of a large sports complex aimed at attracting top international and domestic teams for training camps.

“Five basketball courts and two padel courts — so we also expect assistance from the Government of Serbia to create a small Antalya here and enable numerous international sports teams to come to Zlatibor for training camps. We expect to have the first of these facilities ready within two years and to be able to host teams, because we have a huge need and sufficient accommodation capacity for both domestic and foreign sports teams coming for training, but we do not have enough sports facilities,” Stamatović said.

He stressed that the total value of the sports facilities is close to €40 million.

“As the local government, we have invested €10 million in these works and infrastructure so far. The local government decided not to wait for everything to come from the national budget, but to make use of our own resources as well,” he said.

Zlatibor Bypass

Regarding the Zlatibor bypass, he said that the Government of Serbia had already invested 750 million in the 2.6-kilometer section of the bypass.

“The total length of this bypass is around 9.5 kilometers. The total value of this investment is 2.5 billion euros,” he said.

He stressed that the plan is for the road and Zlatibor bypass to connect the main road with the new motorway, which would continue from the village of Šljivovica toward Republika Srpska.

“And this is gradually preparing for the arrival of international tourists. Everything I am talking about is part of the Expo program, and these investments will certainly help us promote Serbia. Together, the local government, our government and the ministries can cooperate and carry out major capital projects,” Stamatović said.

He added that nearly €200 million is still needed for three roundabouts on the main road in Zlatibor.

He pointed out that everything planned and being completed by the municipality of Čajetina represents projects of national importance.

“We are already working on a recycling center, which is nearing completion. The Ministry of Economy invested 300 million, and this project, which will provide a modern and state-of-the-art way of waste disposal, should become operational soon,” Stamatović said.

Vučić earlier today visited the municipalities of Prijepolje, Priboj and Nova Varoš.