Structural work finished on Skopje’s underground road beneath the 'Diamond' complex
Limak completed the excavation and main structure; City of Skopje must build the access ramps and connections.
Construction company Limak says the main structure is finished and now coordinates with the City of Skopje over access ramps and connections.
Technical work completed; city must deliver the access points
The main structural work on the underground road that runs beneath the buildings and the Diamond shopping centre in Skopje has been completed by the Turkish contractor Limak, company representatives said. The excavation reached a depth of 14 meters and high retaining walls were built, Limak added, while the City of Skopje is expected to carry out the next stage that will allow the road to be opened.
"The physical structure of the underground road, which extends under the multifunctional complex 'Diamond' is already finished. For its construction an excavation 14 metres deep was made, after which high retaining walls were built. The next phase of the project includes construction of the two access entrances to the underground road so that it can be put into operation. The City of Skopje has already started the process that will enable construction of the entrance from the side of the Kisela Voda neighbourhood," Limak said.
The tunnel-like road is 746 metres long and 37 metres wide. It will have two traffic lanes and an auxiliary lane in each direction, and two tram tracks running in the middle.
Separately, the City of Skopje plans to start work on the second phase of Boulevard Macedonia, which includes construction of two roundabouts — at Boulevard Kocho Racin and on Zeleznicka Street — that will serve as connections to the underground road. The tender for that phase has been completed and a contract worth 12 million euros has been signed; the municipality says the works should start this summer.
Residents of the building at Anton Popov 1 — about 800 people according to their estimates — say they fear the structure could be damaged when excavation for the access entrance is carried out directly beside the building foundations. They say they have asked the City of Skopje for information but have received no response so far and warn they may organise protests if concerns are ignored.
Photo: К. Попов)
