UK to fund 5G-ready motorway in Serbia

By Mike Hayes25 October 2021

Bechtel completes first of its kind deal on €430 million Morava Corridor project

Aerial view of construction work on the Morava Corridor in Serbia. Image courtesy ENKA

US-owned construction giant Bechtel has completed a deal to build a major road in Serbia, funded by a €430 million loan from the UK.

The 112km-long Morava Corridor – which will also include an adjacent flood defence system – will be jointly built by Bechtel and Turkish engineering company ENKA.

The scope of work for the Bechtel ENKA team will include the construction of up to 40 bridges, with the longest approximately 600m. A telecommunication corridor will be built beneath the side of the motorway to allow for the future installation of 5G fibre.

The UK Export Finance (UKEF) loan to Serbia comes with a proviso that Bechtel use UK goods and services on the project, which should benefit the UK economy to the tune of around €150 million.

With construction set to begin next year, the project is expected to create around 10,000 jobs during construction, including 4,000 at its peak.

Running east-west between the villages of Pojate and Preljina, the road will also link with the north-south motorway that runs between Serbia’s borders with Hungary and North Macedonia.

Bechtel CEO Brendan Bechtel said, “At a time of post-COVID recovery, this investment in the supply chain will benefit both the UK and Serbian economies and will also enable Bechtel to continue to grow our partnerships in both countries.”

UK secretary for international trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan said, “This partnership between Bechtel and UKEF will boost UK exports, drive investment, support jobs and bolster local economies, helping us build back better from the pandemic.”

Keith Hennessey, president of Bechtel Enterprises, said, “This transaction is exemplary of the creative outcomes that can be achieved for our customers when export credit agencies, development finance institutions, international banks, and the supply chain work together.”

MAGAZINE
NEWSLETTER
Delivered directly to your inbox, Construction Europe Newsletter features the pick of the breaking news stories, product launches, show reports and more from KHL's world-class editorial team.
More News from Construction Europe
Next-gen Rokbak haulers in development
Company showcases fuel-efficiency and low emissions with RA30 and RA40 articulated models 
REMOTE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY ENABLES OPERATORS TO BUILD ENGAGING CAREERS AS HEAVY EQUIPMENT SYSTEM MANAGERS.
HOW CAT® COMMAND REMOTE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY IS helping to combat THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SHORTAGE. As the equipment operator shortage continues, remotely controlled equipment offers a promising solution. Dan Hellige, Caterpillar Worldwide Marketing Manager for Construction & Digital Technologies, is excited about the ability remote control technologies have to help attract and retain a generation of operators to the construction industry. Additionally, Cat® Command technologies enhance safety in hazardous work environments and help to increase productivity.
Balfour Beatty goes all electric on live site for the first time
Company trials going all-electric on Scotland-based project
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Mike Hayes Editor, Construction Europe Tel: +44 (0)1892 786 231 E-mail: mike.hayes@khl.com
Simon Kelly Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786 223 E-mail: simon.kelly@khl.com
CONNECT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA