Construction of a new bridge connecting North and South Mitrovica in its final phase

About ten days before the announced deadline for completion, construction of the new bridge over the Ibar River, connecting North and South Mitrovica, has entered its final phase.

Since early morning, machinery and workers have been working on arranging the approaches to the bridge and preparing for the paving of the bridge, which will be used for traffic.

The cornerstone for the construction of two new bridges, located in the immediate vicinity of the main Ibar bridge, was laid on July 1 by Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti. At the time, he said that the deadline for the completion of works was September 1.

During the cornerstone-laying ceremony, Kurti stated that the bridges would serve for the benefit of all and for greater cooperation and communication between the two municipalities.

In Albanian-language local media, a debate has emerged over what name the newly built traffic bridge should carry. In the comments, the majority proposed naming the bridge after KLA member Avni Hajredini, known by the nickname Avni Koshtova, who was killed in February 2000 in a clash near the main Ibar bridge.

At the beginning of July, the Serbian community in Kosovo, organized by the Serb List, submitted a petition against the construction of the bridges, stating that they pose a major security risk and provocation. After collecting signatures, the petition against construction was handed over to representatives of international institutions.