en.Wedoany.com Reported - Bechtel, in partnership with ENKA, announced the official opening of Sections 8 and 9 of the Morava Corridor Motorway in Serbia, bringing the total operational length to over 100 kilometers, with only one section remaining for full completion. This milestone marks the corridor's tangible benefits for Serbia, including the creation of thousands of local jobs, enhanced flood protection for communities, and extensive investment in Serbian enterprises.
The newly opened 28.7-kilometer section connects the Preljina–Čačak interchange with the Adrani–Kraljevo interchange, forming a key part of one of Serbia's largest infrastructure investment projects. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Aleksandar Antić, Director of the Corridors of Serbia, attended the opening ceremony.
The 112-kilometer Morava Corridor now has over 100 kilometers open to traffic, with only one section remaining. At peak construction, the project employed approximately 4,200 skilled workers, the majority of whom are Serbian nationals, with 82% of procurement sourced from Serbian companies. Flood protection measures include approximately 36 kilometers of river regulation, 13 kilometers of river diversions, 28 kilometers of embankments, and over 160 large culverts. Upon completion, the corridor will be Serbia's first digital motorway, equipped with intelligent transportation systems, featuring 82 bridges and 13 interchanges. The corridor connects central Serbia along the West Morava River valley to Pan-European Corridors X and XI.
Darren Mort, President of Bechtel's Infrastructure business, stated that the Morava Corridor is of national significance and will transform the movement of people and goods in Serbia and the wider region, strengthening community ties and supporting long-term economic growth. He noted that the team is rapidly advancing the project while managing the complexity of simultaneously constructing a motorway and an extensive flood protection infrastructure network, delivering positive impacts as quickly as possible through phased openings.
The Morava Corridor is one of the largest drivers of local economic activity in central Serbia. At peak construction, it employed approximately 4,200 skilled workers, the majority of whom are Serbian nationals, with 82% of procurement sourced from Serbian companies. The project also invests in safety and quality training, developing the skills of the Serbian workforce and creating a lasting contribution to local infrastructure and the economy.
Sections 8 and 9, located in the western part of the motorway, include significant river regulation and flood protection works designed to safeguard the motorway and surrounding communities from the region's long-standing flood issues. Across the entire project, approximately 36 kilometers of river regulation, 13 kilometers of river diversions, 28 kilometers of embankments, and over 160 large culverts are implemented, providing long-term climate resilience for the West Morava River valley.
Upon completion, the over 112-kilometer Morava Corridor Motorway will connect key regions to Pan-European Corridors X and XI, improving transport efficiency and safety, and supporting long-term economic growth along the West Morava River valley. It will become Serbia's first digital motorway, equipped with intelligent transportation systems, featuring 82 bridges and 13 interchanges.
Beyond project delivery, Bechtel is committed to long-term stewardship in Serbia. The company and its partners support the FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) challenge, collaborate with local museums to display ancient artifacts unearthed at the project site, and partner with the University of Belgrade to host the Bechtel-ENKA Innovation Expo, inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators through mentorship.
