General Mihajlo Apostolski bridge to open without boulevard link

The General Mihajlo Apostolski bridge in Skopje will open for traffic without a direct boulevard extension to the East Gate shopping area for the time being, the city mayor said. Access to the center will be handled via the local approach streets while authorities complete remaining works and property procedures.

Mayor: bridge will be fully functional within weeks

Orce Gjorgjievski told a television interview that expropriation along the bridge route has been completed and that demolition of buildings is already under way. "The expropriation is completed, the buildings have been demolished and we are preparing for tamping and asphalting which will be finished within the next 20 days, allowing us to enable full functionality of the bridge. The final goal will be to finish those buildings that lead from the left side toward 'East Gate'," he said.

When asked whether the bridge would be connected directly to the East Gate complex, Gjorgjievski replied that, for now, traffic will use the existing access streets rather than a new boulevard.

He added: "That is what I promised during the campaign, given that there are many cases there that are in court proceedings. So there will be no boulevard solution, but as I promised, there will be full functionality of the bridge."

Construction of the bridge began in 2020 during the term of then-mayor Petre Shilegov as part of the project to extend and widen ASNOM Boulevard and better connect the municipalities of Aerodrom, Gazi Baba and Centar. The main structure was finished in subsequent years but opening was delayed by unresolved property-right issues on the route.

City officials expect the work to ease traffic congestion around Aerodrom and Gazi Baba once the bridge is operational and the access route works are completed. Demolition of remaining structures on the route is set to start tomorrow, the mayor said.

Photo: Fejsbuk