Izvor–Vrbjani section of Kichevo–Ohrid motorway to open soon, says Aleksandar Nikoloski

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski announced that the motorway section between the village of Izvor (near Kichevo) and the village of Vrbjani in the Debrca municipality is expected to be put into operation within the next few weeks. He said the works on that segment are already finished and visible on site. ([vlada.mk](https://vlada.mk/en-GB/vlada/sostav-na-vlada/zamenik-pretsedatel-na-vladata?utm_source=openai))

“We remain committed to what we promised, which is that according to the deadlines by the end of May we will have not only the motorway fully opened, but a motorway with all necessary documents, something we have not often seen in the past, on the one hand, and on the other hand the most difficult section that goes from the village Izvor, Kichevo region, to the village Vrbjani in Debrca, I expect will be put into operation in the next few weeks. There the construction works are completely finished, which can be seen with the naked eye,” Nikoloski said.

Nikoloski added that the two tunnel tubes on the route have already been bored: one is 1,100 metres long and the other 1,990 metres long. He also said the four galleries on the same section, the full roadbed, the bridges and viaducts are completed. ([360stepeni.mk](https://360stepeni.mk/chetirieset-kilometri-od-avtopatot-ohrid-kichevo-se-staveni-vo-funktsija-objavi-ministerot-nikoloski/?utm_source=openai))

Safety checks and final tests

The minister said teams are now implementing the latest European safety directive for road tunnels and carrying out all necessary tests to achieve the highest possible safety level inside the tunnel before opening it to traffic. ([360stepeni.mk](https://360stepeni.mk/chetirieset-kilometri-od-avtopatot-ohrid-kichevo-se-staveni-vo-funktsija-objavi-ministerot-nikoloski/?utm_source=openai))

On other motorways being built by the Bechtel and Enka consortium, Nikoloski said progress varies by section. He gave concrete figures: on the Tetovo–Gostivar section earthworks stand at about 65 percent, and none of the three sections yet have asphalt. On the Gostivar–Bukojčani route the part from Gostivar is at 60 percent, while the Bukojčani stretch is just starting. For the Prilep–Bitola motorway, earthworks exceed 80 percent. ([360stepeni.mk](https://360stepeni.mk/avtopatot-ohrid-kichevo-mozhe-da-bide-gotov-i-pred-maj-slednata-godina-veli-nikoloski/?utm_source=openai))

Regarding the Trebenishta–Qafasan route, Nikoloski said he has been discussing options with the contractor Bechtel and Enka to find the most optimal alignment that will preserve the status of the wider Ohrid–Struga area and the whole region; he expects construction activities to begin soon, possibly with the start of the next building season. ([360stepeni.mk](https://360stepeni.mk/avtopatot-ohrid-kichevo-mozhe-da-bide-gotov-i-pred-maj-slednata-godina-veli-nikoloski/?utm_source=openai))

Photo: Fejsbuk-profil na Aleksandar Nikoloski