Construction works on the Demir Kapija-Smokvica road section are advancing beyond expectations, namely over 11% of  planned 7% of the activities have been wrapped up thus far, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told reporters on Saturday.

Today, Gruevski, accompanied by Vice-Premier and FinMin Zoran Stavreski and Transport/Communication Minister Mile Janakieski, visited the construction cite to oversee the progress of construction works on the Demir Kapija-Smokvica high way section - part of the Corridor 10.

We are talking about a serious investment of about EUR 220 million, he said.

Considering the fact that Macedonia is at the crossroads of two main corridors: East – West (Corridor 8) and North – South (Corridor 10), the Government intends to keep supporting the realization of capital infrastructure projects that will in turn contribute to strengthening the national economy competitiveness, higher economic growth and a more balanced regional development. 

The construction of 28 km-long Demir Kapija – Smokvica highway section was launched last year on the Macedonia's Independence Day - 8 September, and should be completed by 2016.

The Demir Kapija – Smokvica section will have two 3.5 km-wide lanes, two 1.200m-long tunnels and six bridges, the longest one to reach about 660m.

The construction of the Demir Kapija – Smokvica section will finalize the construction of the 1.451 km-long Corridor 10 at the level of highway.