Intensified work on the construction of a pedestrian bridge in North Mitrovica

After the new bridge over the Ibar River, connecting North and South Mitrovica, was opened to traffic this morning, the machinery that until recently had been used for its construction was moved a few hundred meters away, where more workers are now engaged in building a second, pedestrian bridge near the Tri solitera neighborhood in the northern part of the city.

Several excavators entered the riverbed of the Ibar this afternoon, preparing the ground for the continuation of work on the new pedestrian bridge, whose cornerstone was laid nearly two months ago by caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

These two bridges — the one opened to traffic today and the one now under construction for pedestrians — are located to the left and right of the main Ibar bridge, which remains closed to traffic and guarded by members of the Italian Carabinieri.

One of the two new bridges over the Ibar was opened today, despite earlier announcements from Pristina that the opening would take place on September 1.

According to Veton Eljšani, Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the northern region, the competent authorities decided this morning to open the bridge to traffic.

The first person to cross the bridge by car was Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Hisen Durmishi, with caretaker Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla also present.

The bridge was constructed and opened despite opposition from the majority Serbian population.

Petar Petkovic, Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, therefore stressed that the unlawful opening of the bridge represents a new escalatory move that directly undermines peace in northern Kosovo.