Infrastructure

Infrastructure investment levels in Macedonia in the past 10 years were extremely low. Macedonia became infrastructurally backward country, with rural areas with no basic living conditions, water supply systems, and sewage and storm sewers. Roads have become dangerous and unsafe (39% extremely unsafe by the EU) while only few sections are currently being built with great delay.

Consequently, the new Government will focus on the construction of infrastructure that will bring future to the Macedonian economy, while stopping investments in unproductive projects, such as Skopje 2014. Decisions on large investments in infrastructure will be brought transparently and through consultations with citizens and relevant experts.

The Government’s main infrastructure goals are set along a number of projects: "Macedonia megalopolis" infrastructure connection between largest centers taking no more than 90 minutes; "Macedonia free of accident blackspots" and "Macedonia without mud."

The Government, in accordance with the Law on the Excise Duty on Fuel, vehicle registration and toll collection will transparently use the funds for investments and maintenance of road infrastructure. The Government will set up a company with dominant state ownership (51%) through which investments in infrastructure projects and renewable energy sources will be pursued. The initial size of the company will be 300 million EUR.

The Government will initiate negotiations to fund 3 priority infrastructure projects through the initiative 16+1 Initiative promoted by PR China amounting to over 10 billion USD.

The Government will adopt a 10-year road infrastructure investment plan amounting to 3 billion EUR to increase the current financial shortfall for road maintenance. Through these investments, the Government will ensure the construction of 600 kilometers of motorways and express roads, 550 kilometers of highways and regional roads and 1,000 km of local roads. Part of the priority routes will be:

-    Skopje - Blace (border with Kosovo) Highway
-    Reconstruction of regional road Dracevo - Oresani - Taor and regional road Dracevo – Jurumleri
-    Complete construction of the regional road R-302 from Kisela Voda to the regional road R-104 near the locality of Brzovec
-    Construction of an underground traffic corridor in downtown Skopje, from the Government building to the Banks Complex
-    Construction of a new road connecting Kisela Voda and Aerodrom, from October 11 Neighborhood to the “Rade Koncar” Factory
-    Construction of a new road Sopiste - Usje - Boris Trajkovski Bld.
-    Reconstruction of regional road Makedonski Brod – Skopje
-    Regional road Kondovo – Radusha
-    Connecting Matka directly with highway Skopje – Tetovo
-    Corridor 8 - (east) Rankovce - Kriva Palanka - border with Bulgaria (first stage express way)
-    Corridor 10 - Rehabilitation of highway Miladinovci – Kumanovo
-    Construction of a regional road Matejce – Lipkovo, Lipkovo - Belanovce and Tanusevci – Debelde
-    Regional road Mlado Negoricane – Pelince
-    Infrastructure construction of industrial zone Vizbegovo
-    Regional road Kumanovo - Aracinovo (section Nikushtak - Kumanovo)
-    Regional road Kumanovo - Sveti Nikole
-    Highway Miladinovci – Stip
-    Stip - Radovis (expressway)
-    Stip - Kocani (expressway)
-    Reconstruction and rehabilitation of Kocani – Delcevo
-    Kocani - Probishtip (section Ponikva - Turkish miner)
-    Reconstruction and construction of Peklanska Reka - Bigla (Vinica - Delcevo)
-    Reconstruction of regional road Veles – Bogomila
-    Reconstruction of regional road Berovo – Strumica
-    Reconstruction of road Probistip – Krupiste
-    Reconstruction of regional road Berovo - Pehcevo – Delcevo
-    Regional road Delcevo – Zvegor
-    Reconstruction of road section on the road Berovo – Vinica
-    Completion of construction of bridge over the river Bregalnica on the Kocani - Zrnovci regional road
-    Financial support for construction of a dam on the river Otinja in Stip and the project for construction of bridge over river Vardar and ring-road in Veles
-    Expressway Gradsko - Prilep - Bitola – Medzitlija
-    Feasibility study of highway Prilep - Bitola – Medzitlija
-    Highway Demir Kapija – Smokvica
-    Rehabilitation of the national road Strumica - border with Bulgaria
-    Highway project Strumica - border with Bulgaria
-    Rehabilitation of highway Smokvica – Gevgelija
-    Rehabilitation of highway Negotino – Demir Kapija
-    Regional road Kavadarci – Rosoman
-    Regional road Dedeli - Furka - Bogdanci – Gevgelija
-    Reconstruction of regional road Prilep - Noshpal - Dobrusevo – Novaci
-    Highway Kicevo – Ohrid, Trebenista – Struga
-    Design section Struga-Kafasan and start construction
-    Design highway Gostivar - Kicevo and start construction
-    Reconstruction of the section Ohrid – Resen
-    Ohrid - Pestani - Naum (the Government will make changes to the existing project in order to protect the National Park Galicica)
-    Better solution for transit Kicevo (part of highway Gostivar - Kicevo)
-    Complete reconstruction of the road Podmolje - Struga - Kalista - Radožda (old road Ohrid - Struga), the existing alignment and associated road infrastructure (bicycle and pedestrian paths) to ensure quality access to tourist facilities on the coast. It shall respect the protected zone of the lake.
-    Reconstruction of regional road Bitola - Demir Hisar
-    Reconstruction of regional road Krusevo - Demir Hisar
-    Rehabilitation of regional road Lazani - Ropotovo - Crniliste Dolneni
-    Reconstruction and widening of regional road Debar - A4
-    Negotiations on possible financing for construction of a new regional road Izvor - Garski most
-    Completion of construction and reconstruction of state road R2235, section Mavrovi Anovi – Mavrovo (section from the Mavrovo Dam to Belicki Channel)
-    Reconstruction of regional road Tetovo - Popova Sapka
-    Connecting the overpass near Trebos with Corridor VIII
-    Considering the results of the feasibility study for the road Tetovo - Prizren, we will be consider the most economically viable variants
-    Reconstruction of regional road R 2242, Jegunovce – Zelino
-    Roads Dobridol – Gostivar, Gostivar – Serbinovo
-    Set protective net against landslides on the road Boskov Most – Debar
-    Set protective wire mesh against landslides on the section along Radika River
-    Reconstruction of regional road R 29 274, Leshok - (R 2242) Semsovo
-    Reconstruction of regional road R 2234, link to 1203 in Prshovce to link R 2242 in Jegunovce
-    Reconstruction of regional road Centar Zupa - Novak

The Government will invest in projects for modernization of road infrastructure, improve safety and traffic flow, particularly in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of priority accident blackspots, and reduce pollution. We will evaluate and remediate all landslides, introduce electronic tolls and modern signaling and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The Government will initiate the preparation of project documentation for determining priority sections, pledging to invest evenly across regions.

We will work on the construction and rehabilitation of other regional roads to be subsequently determined by the program of the Public Enterprise for State Roads (JPDP). At the same time, we will accelerate the opening of new border crossings along roads that are currently being constructed or completed.

The new Government, in collaboration with local self-government units, will work on the construction and rehabilitation of several local roads throughout the country. At the same time, it will help build local roads and mountain bike paths of interest for the development of lake, mountain and sports tourism.

The government will invest in the modernization of railway infrastructure, renewal of the rolling stock, and safety, such as:

  • The Project for suburban passenger traffic will consist of 4 legs in and around Skopje:
    • Zelenikovo - Dracevo - Lisice - Pintija – 11 Oktomvri - Skopje Patnicka (24 km)
    • Miladinovci - Ilinden - Madzari – Skopje Patnicka (19 km)
    • New line from Miladinovci to Petrovec Airport (5 km)
    • Radusa - Saraj - Gjorce Petrov - Skopje Sever - Zelezara - Pivara - Skopje Patnicka
  • Electrification of lines Skopje - Skopje Sever - Gjorce Petrov - Volkovo - Blace (border with the Republic of Kosovo) and Skopje – Kicevo
  • Completion of the reconstruction of the railway line from Kumanovo to Beljakovce (Corridor 8) and construction of a new railway line from Beljakovce to Kriva Palanka (Corridor 8)
  • Initial phase of construction of a new railway line from Kriva Palanka to Deve Bair (third phase of Corridor 8 from Kumanovo to Bulgaria)
  • Preparation of project documentation for construction of railway Kicevo - Lin (Albania) and start of construction
  • Feasibility study for construction of railway branch to Strumica and Bulgaria
  • Reconstruction Veles - Bitola and completion of reconstruction Bitola – Kremenica
  • Preparation of basic projects and other necessary technical documentation for the construction and supervision of the new rail lines to industrial zones (from the Miladinovci train station to the industrial zone Bunardzik)
  • Traffic safety: ensuring road crossings along Corridor 8 and Corridor 10
  • Solar railway stations - reconstruction and modernization of railway stations along Corridor 10 and 10d.

The Government will develop a new national strategy for long-term development of air traffic, analyze the level of implementation of the concession agreement with the airport operator and work on investment priorities, such as fast transport connection between Skopje and Ohrid airports and promotion of Ohrid Airport as low-cost airport. We will analyse the conditions for establishing a regular national air carrier, construction or adaptation of 7 heliports for medical, police and military needs, and 4 separate water areas intended for hydroplanes for special purposes.

Through open dialogue between public authorities and specialized institutions and experts we will propose subsidizing sustainable tourism linked with the development of air travel and transport.

The Government will develop a transparent system for fair distribution of CEMT licenses and support, and provide security to companies by offering equal conditions for all participants. The potential for development will be stimulated by reducing the price of the Green Card.

The Government will propose legislative measures and provisions for restoration of professionalism and legality in spatial and urban planning and in the geodetic profession in general through transparent and humane space planning and development of cities.

The Government will propose revision and harmonization of laws, measures and regulations to control facilities, increase safety and quality of construction and the mandatory area with greenery. The Government will enable citizens to oversee the process of making urban plans and provide them with a real opportunity to influence the decision-making process. We will normatively regulate urban greenery standards in every building parcel to satisfy citizen needs for humane, healthy and quality life. Additional financial incentives will be offered within Cadaster Agency tariffs and in utility fees paid for construction of parking facilities and other public buildings of interest.

The Government will work on balanced development and allocation of resources in rural areas, thus directly contributing to the improvement in the lives and well-being of citizens by construction of sewage and water systems. The percentage of coverage with sewage systems should rise from the current 18% to 40% and will be financially assisted by the Government. Government reforms in the utilities sector will enhance the effectiveness and productivity of services. The Government will secure assets and financial incentives from either European funds or the state budget.

The government will ensure measures to prevent abuses in social housing through subsidized construction (50% of municipal fee for construction of individual residential houses up to 150 m2), subsidies on interest loans available to young couples, and subsidies for design and construction of facilities for vulnerable groups.

The government will subsidize energy insulation of buildings, with 20% of total investment. The grants will secure up to 70% energy savings, reduced costs, reduced electricity imports and increased workload and number of employees in manufacturing and contracting companies.