Andric Rakic: Talk of building two new bridges over the Ibar resonates well with the public in Kosovo

Milica Andric Rakic, Program Manager at the NGO New Social Initiative, stated that the announcement of the construction of two new bridges connecting South and North Mitrovica represents a form of political campaigning that “resonates well with the public” in Kosovo.

“This is primarily a political campaign—more aimed at national than at local elections. It’s a topic that generally appeals more to the broader public in Kosovo, while I believe that the local Albanian population in North Mitrovica would be more interested in investments in other areas. So, this initiative is primarily directed at the wider public and appears to be a form of compensation for the unfulfilled promise to open the main bridge,” Andric Rakic said in a statement to Kosovo Online.

She acknowledged that the construction of two new bridges is technically feasible but expressed doubts that it would actually materialize.

“There are a number of questions. First, from a logistical standpoint, it’s not a particularly justifiable move. In the stretch where the two new bridges are planned, there are already two others open to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” she noted.

She further pointed to the population size of South and North Mitrovica, which does not support the need for two additional crossings.

“There is certainly a need to improve transport infrastructure. There are bridges that need reconstruction—like the one in Minarce or the bridge in Cabra—which barely withstood the floods in January 2022. So, there are plenty of reasons and space to improve existing road infrastructure,” the analyst explained.

She doubts that the idea of two new bridges will stand “the test of time and public scrutiny.”

“As soon as Self-Determination published an image of the alleged new project, controversy immediately arose because it was genuinely difficult to justify having three bridges in such close proximity, all intended for the same purpose—transport of goods and people,” Andric Rakic emphasized.