Chinese companies to work on two bridges – building site on the Danube near Vinča

- Construction of combined road-railway bridge across the Danube near Vinča, which is a part of the bypass around Belgrade, will be offered to the Chinese - Verica Kalanović, the Minister of National Investment Plan, told “Novosti”.

Serbian side has already prepared the memorandum of understanding, which should be signed during President Boris Tadić’s visit to Peking. That means that there is a possibility that, in addition to the bridge between Zemun and Borča, the Chinese will also build the bridge across the Danube near Vinča, which would, practically, make the road ring around Belgrade complete.

The Minister of NIP says that the estimated value of the bridge near Vinča, without accompanying junctions, amounts to about 100m EUR.

- The story about cooperation between China and Serbia in development of infrastructure is the result of the initiative of President Tadić – Ms. Kalanović points out. – It is almost for certain that President Tadić will visit China in the second half of August. It has been suggested that the presidents of the two countries should sign “roof agreement” on cooperation in development of infrastructure in Serbia. The first project that will give an estimate of readiness of both sides is construction of Zemun - Borča bridge, 21 kilometers long, with accompanying junctions. The Chinese should submit the draft preliminary and main project, and they have already offered three solutions.

Cloverleaf interchanges will connect the bridge between Zemun and Borča with the Zrenjanin road and the Pančevo road, which will direct part of the traffic from New Belgrade and Zemun to Banat. The bridge nearly 1.5 km long will have three lanes on both sides of the road. According to unofficial information, our side has estimated the value of the bridge with junctions at about 170m EUR.

- These are the special types of interstate contracts – the Minister explained. – If the Chinese offered very favorable loan, their contractor would become the chief contractor, but the contract would anticipate engagement of local subcontractors. The contract would also define the quantity of domestic materials and supervision of works.

By the way, three preliminary solutions for Zemun – Borča bridge, which have been delivered by the Chinese, have been examined by our expert task force. In their opinion, none of the solutions is good enough because the Danube is a river corridor and certain standards must be met.

Via Vinča to Pančevo

Transportation Institute CIP has elaborated general and preliminary project for construction of freight bypass railway and highway bypass Bubanj Potok – Vinča - Pančevo, with a road-railway bridge across the Danube. According to the people from this company, it is the bridge of grandiose dimensions. This bridge, about 650 meters long, will have two lanes on each side of the road, and they will be separated by railway tracks.

(Note: complete text is taken over from newspaper "Danas" of July 14, 2009)