Serbia has started preparatory works on a €102 million road and tunnel project at the Kadinjača mountain pass, designed to improve the connection between Užice and Bajina Bašta and strengthen transport links across western Serbia.
Known as the Dub–Dubci project, the scheme is being delivered by China’s Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) under a contract covering approximately 6.28 kilometres of new road. The route includes a 1,260-metre tunnel, six bridges and 20 retaining structures. The construction contract provides for a 42-month period covering design and construction. Preparatory activities are advancing, while temporary traffic restrictions have been introduced to facilitate access to the construction site.
Tunnel and bridge works define project scope
The scale of the investment reflects the engineering requirements of the route rather than its length alone. The Kadinjača tunnel will consist of a main tube designed for two-way traffic and a separate parallel evacuation passage. The alignment also requires six bridges and 20 retaining structures because of the mountainous terrain and slope-stabilisation requirements. Construction will involve geological investigations, excavation support, drainage, tunnel ventilation, fire-protection systems and monitoring throughout the works.
Mountain conditions can also increase exposure to weather-related disruptions and unforeseen ground conditions, while winter conditions around Kadinjača can affect both construction operations and road transport. The new route is expected to reduce the journey between Užice and Bajina Bašta by about six kilometres. It is also intended to reduce dependence on the existing mountain crossing and improve transport reliability during adverse weather.
Drina corridor receives new regional connection
The project is intended to improve access for communities and businesses along the Drina corridor, including Bajina Bašta, Ljubovija and Mali Zvornik. These municipalities rely on regional roads to reach larger Serbian markets and conduct cross-border trade with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Transport constraints can raise freight costs and affect the competitiveness of companies operating in the region. The Dub–Dubci route is planned to connect with the ongoing Užice bypass and improve access to Serbia’s wider motorway network, including the E-761 corridor.
The improved connection is relevant to sectors including manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, construction materials and tourism, all of which depend on reliable road transport. More predictable road access could reduce delivery uncertainty for regional businesses and improve connections between western Serbia and national freight routes.
Tourism is another activity linked to the transport network. Tara National Park, the Drina valley and Bajina Bašta attract domestic and international visitors, while improved road reliability could make access easier for hotels, hospitality companies and related services.
Construction execution will determine delivery
The preparatory phase precedes more complex works involving land access, utility relocation, geological investigations, tunnel excavation, bridge construction and integration with the existing road system. Construction will take place while traffic continues on the existing route, making the management of access for local residents and businesses an additional operational requirement. Temporary traffic restrictions are part of that process.
The contractual 42-month delivery period establishes the planned timeframe, while actual progress will depend on geological conditions, contractor mobilisation and project supervision. The €102 million investment forms part of Serbia’s wider programme to improve regional transport infrastructure alongside major motorway and railway projects. For western Serbia, the project is intended to address a longstanding mountain-road bottleneck and improve safety, freight reliability, travel times and access between local communities and wider national and cross-border markets.
