The background
There is a wealth of natural beauty in North Macedonia. More and more travellers are visiting this country, drawn by the astonishing amount of cultural and natural attractions. This is demonstrated not only by the visitor rates, which have not stopped growing in the last few years, but also by the local authorities’ yearning to provide an efficient transport infrastructure.
The road that links Gradsko and Drenovo is key for North Macedonia’s transport network since it connects the north with the southern part of the Balkans. At national level, it is an important node mainly for traffic going to and from Skopje.
Gradsko is located in the centre of the country. It forms part of the municipality of the same name, included in the Vardar statistical region. Gradsko is historically known as a significant traffic and trade intersection, not only for North Macedonia, but also for the wider Balkan region. Like Gradsko, Drenovo is also part of the Vardar statistical region. It belongs to Kavadarci municipality, which is located in the southern part of the country and borders Greece to the south. In this region, scenic mountains are interspersed with green valleys and vineyards, forming a unique landscape.
The challenge
The existing national road from Gradsko to Drenovo branches off from an important road corridor (Corridor 10), which belongs to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), a network of roads, railways, airports and water infrastructure in the European Union. This branch is the most important link between Western Europe and Thessaloniki seaport. The national road through Gradsko and Drenovo towards Prilep and Bitola is an alternative connection to this seaport and fundamental to strengthen the transport flows within the country as well as between North Macedonia and Greece.
Gradsko - Drenovo section passes through the Rosoman area, an important agricultural centre. The growing transit traffic, generated mainly between the capital Skopje and the Pelagonia region, is aggravating wear and tear, increasing the risk of accidents and travel times due to the limited capacity and functionality of the existing road.
The road has a high accident rate, mostly caused by the broad mix of local and transit road users on this section. In addition, the road pavement, designed for a lower bearing capacity, is not compliant with EU standards.
The action
The project involves the construction of a 15.5 km section of single carriageway express road between Gradsko and Drenovo on a new alignment. Access to the new road is restricted, with agricultural machines and other slow-moving vehicles, mopeds, bicycles and pedestrians not being allowed. This is a critical functional element to improve road safety conditions while allowing a higher travel speed.
There are two reasons why the Gradsko-Drenovo section is crucial: firstly, it forms connections with the main European transport corridors, helping to build the European single market; and secondly, it completes a missing high-class road link opening up remote areas and facilitate business.
JASPERS assisted in the project preparation stage. We reviewed the traffic forecast based on historical and more recent traffic counts, an origin/destination survey, and official economic forecasts. Our team of experts also checked the feasibility study. JASPERS’ analysis confirmed the current traffic volumes and the proportions of heavy vehicles in the overall traffic flow, and verified the annual growth of traffic. The study suggests that about 60% of the traffic on the existing road between Rosoman and Drenovo will move to the new road.
Our technical experts ensured that the financial and economic analyses were in line with EU requirements and of sufficient quality. We also assessed the safety performance of the project and, as a result, a range of improvements from the road safety audit report were incorporated into the project. Among the safety actions, traffic signs are installed to clearly inform road users of the most direct route in order to prevent drivers from taking the old road.
The road section Gradsko-Drenovo is part of a more ambitious corridor project, which upgrades the whole branch to expressway standard. Depending on the traffic volumes, some sections may be upgraded in the future to motorway standard, offering better road conditions and safety to users.
The results
Currently, works are underway. The new road section is expected to separate local traffic (e.g. agricultural vehicles) from regional and transit traffic, leading to the smoother circulation of vehicles. Inhabitants from villages and farms along the existing road will experience better living conditions; they will cross the road and cycle in a safer way and will benefit from better air quality and less noise pollution.
The road project aims to have a positive impact in terms of both travel time savings and vehicle operating costs. From a road safety perspective, it will reduce road accident rates.
Likewise, the project plans to contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. The project foresees to improve connections to the Pelagonia region and the capital Skopje as well as to neighbouring countries. Pelagonia is an important economic region including the main cities of Prilep and Bitola close to the border with Greece. Thanks to the increased accessibility between cities, the road will also connect local employment opportunities.