Speaking to the press during his visit to Dojran, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said that the programme for development of express ways, which would improve the current network of regional roads in Macedonia, is developing well, with a plan to invest a total of 276 million EUR in 126 kilometres of roads. The priority express ways will help to connect the important agricultural region of Pelagonija and the major cities of Prilep and Bitola, currently serviced by a road crossing a dangerous mountain pass, as well as Kriva Palanka, which is the main crossing into Bulgaria but also has a narrow road that winds along a river.

"By November or December we expect to see construction to begin on the Gradsko - Prilep express way, which will provide four lanes for traffic. In the first half of 2016 we expect to begin the construction on an express way along the side of Lake Ohrid, from Ohrid to Pestani, and an express way from Stip to Kocani. Another similar project will be the express way from Radovis to Stip", Prime Minister Gruevski said. Although not exactly highways, the new wider roads will allow for faster and safer traffic.

Speaking about infrastructure investments, Gruevski added that in September, work will begin on a complete overhaul of a stretch of 10, 5 kilometres on the Gevgelija - Smokvica highway, worth seven million EUR. The cities of Veles and Stip will also be connected with a widened road, to improve the current regional road.

"All these projects will be worth an estimated 276 million EUR, which is a significant sum for a total of 126 kilometres of roads. The express ways will be of enormous assistance to the citizens not only of the cities which will be better connected, but to the country as a whole, and many of them will improve the travel of foreign tourists in Macedonia", Gruevski said.