Corridor Vc is part of the indicative extension of the TEN-T Core Network to the Western Balkans and connects Bosnia and Herzegovina to Hungary, Croatia and the Adriatic Sea. The longest section of the corridor lies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the country has embarked on a multi-billion motorway construction programme. The motorway network, which is being built in accordance with modern transport standards, will improve road safety, increase access to tourism centres and industrial areas in the country and create more opportunities for trade flows within the region and with the EU.
This investment covers the construction of a new approx. 2.8 km long motorway section including a 2.4 km long twin tunnel, Zenica. The subsection starts near the settlement Ponirak, further descending to the south towards the tunnel, and ultimately ends above the settlement Donja Vraca near the city of Zenica.
With the construction of Ponirak - Vraca / Zenica Tunnel, the travel distance between the cities of Nemila and Zenica will be substantially shortened thus resulting in time and vehicle cost savings, reduced accident rates, and reduced local pollution in the area. The investment is also expected to increase accessibility and promote regional and local economic development by increasing the average annual daily traffic by more than 23% (upon completion of the construction) and connect the existing state road M17 with Corridor Vc.