We are proud that our company got the unique opportunity to represent Turkish construction industry on this landmark project- the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway
Connecting Belgrade and Sarajevo, which is one of the largest infrastructure projects in this part of Europe, brings significant opportunity for business development in both countries, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Emre Tokmak, Vice President of Taşyapı, Turkish construction company, spoke for the December issue of D&C magazine about landmark projects in Serbia and the region, which are challenging and complex, as well as about humanitarian and CSR activities.
Tasyapi designs and builds the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway, a landmark project for the economic development of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Can you tell us more about this infrastructure project?
This project has unique importance for the development of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout the Balkan region and also gains significant opportunity for business development in both countries. In the past, this region was faced with severe joint issues and thus this project somehow settles mutual disputes and promises a bright future in the neighbourhood relations.
The construction of the highway started with the Sava Bridge on the section Kuzmin – Sremska Rača and will follow in coming months with the motorway, in the length of 18 km. The bridge which is currently under construction will be made of premium materials and will satisfy the high request in terms of design, quality, and operation. On the other side of the Sava river, the highway will flow next to the city of Bijeljina, Brčko, and place Vukosavlje. From this place, it will continue to Sarajevo through Tuzla. On the south, Tasyapi is engaged in the preparation of the preliminary design of the part Požega – Kotroman. Construction of this section is not currently agreed but knowing the importance of this project we strongly believe that devoted Serbian government will proceed with amending the current commercial contract to enable the construction of this section.
When it comes to the Bosnian, part of the highway, it’s a bit in delay in comparison to the Serbian part, but hopefully, after relevant bilateral treaty are being signed by Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, it will trigger line of actions which will accelerate finishing of this project.
What is the approximate value of the entire project?
At this stage, it’s hard to estimate total value of the project considering that it’s one of the largest infrastructure projects in this part of Europe. The indicative figures of the section Sremska Rača – Kuzmin is 250 million EUR. Currently, general project documentation is being prepared for the section Požega-Kotroman, in the length of around 60 km, and value of that part will highly exceed the ongoing north part due to the complexity of the terrain.
“When we add Bosnian part of the highway, we assume that total value of the project will be around four billion EUR”
Can you tell what is most challenging part in project Belgrade- Sarajevo highway?
Considering the geography of this region, it is hard to tell which part will be the most complex one, but one could argue that the most challenging part will be Sava Bridge in the length of approximately 1,300 meters. The Sava is a wide and demanding river, there are two different legal jurisdictions, thousands of tons of steel to be implemented in the bridge, followed with a complex design. We must note that this section is designed as a classic highway profile with two lines and one stop line and a middle dividing zone, for a speed of 130 km/h.
Tasyapi is also building residential buildings for members of security forces in Serbia and working on project of road rehabilitation Novi Pazar-Tutin. Can you tell us more about this projects?
That is correct. Our teams are also engaged in the state road Novi Pazar-Tutin rehabilitation. This challenging project is divided in three sections and our machinery and staff is working full time to timely complete this project.
In addition, teamed up with the local company we completed works on four residential buildings in Vranje, where we built 186 apartments for members of security forces in Serbia. Also, currently, we are working on five more residential buildings in Nis with the same purpose, which will have a total of 190 apartments.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Tasyapi is also engaged in humanitarian activities in Serbia. How you see these kinds of activities?
Tasyapi finds social responsibility as important part of its corporate culture. This year, our company donated medical equipment for combat against COVID-19. Among others, we donated 65 intensive care hospital beds, 75 anti-decubitus mattresses, 6 aspirators, over 500 bedding sets, over 600 pairs of shoes for hospital workers, 5.000 tests for corona virus and many other. Donations were delivered to KBC „Dr Dragisa Mišović-Dedinje“, General hospital in Novi Pazar and to Institute of Public health of the Republic of Srpska. Tasyapi will continue with similar activities when it is needed.