ZAGREB, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Ivica Budimir, the CEO of the state-owned road operator Croatian Roads, has underscored the strategic importance of a forthcoming infrastructure initiative, specifically a 14.75-kilometer expressway to be constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). This project is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing connectivity within the region.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Budimir lauded the fruitful partnership between Croatian Roads and CRBC, stating, "This is an extremely important project for Croatia, especially for the Slavonia region, as this road will connect Pozega and Godinjak, and in the future, the freeway will connect more cities." His remarks highlight the expansive vision behind this infrastructure development.

The collaboration between Croatian Roads and CRBC was formally solidified with the signing of a 160-million-euro contract for the project on May 7. The expressway initiative, which is set to emerge in eastern Croatia, encompasses not only the construction of the expressway but also includes a 3.34-kilometer tunnel, three overpasses, six underpasses, and an underpass tunnel.

Budimir pointed out the potential benefits of the expressway, noting, "This expressway will significantly shorten the journey to Pozega and all surrounding towns, speed up traffic, and we expect an increase in economic activities in the area." The expectation of enhanced economic activity underscores the transformative impact this infrastructure may have on local communities.

Calling this expressway the second-largest project undertaken by Croatian Roads in conjunction with CRBC since 2015, Budimir compared it to the notable Peljesac Bridge project. "The largest project was the construction of the Peljesac Bridge. We can say that we are signing a major project again with the same Chinese company, which makes it very significant," he noted, reflecting on the continued collaboration with a key international partner.

The CEO characterized the cooperation with CRBC's Chinese specialists and engineers as "very good," emphasizing that the collaboration has proceeded without major hiccups. He acknowledged the successful engagement with supervisory engineers and local communities, stating, "We are extremely satisfied." This positive assessment is crucial for maintaining support for future projects.

Despite recognizing that challenges often accompany large-scale construction endeavors, Budimir expressed optimism regarding the resolution of any potential issues. He further assured stakeholders that the expressway project in Pozega is on track to be completed successfully and on schedule. This reliability is essential for building trust among investors and local government.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)