European Union to Build Two Bridges in Kraljevo

Thanks to funds made available through EU Assistance for Flood Relief in Serbia Programme, today marks the beginning of construction of bridges on rivers Lopatnica and Musina reka in Kraljevo, destroyed during May 2014 floods. Construction works worth EUR150,000 are due for completion in 60 days, allowing 70 agricultural households to have access to agricultural land.

Following clean-up and riverbank rehabilitation, begins the construction of bridges on rivers Lopatnica and Musina reka, 28 and 14 metres long, respectively. During last year’s flooding, bridge piers were destroyed causing the construction and road panels to collapse. It hindered movement of people and agricultural operations. Thanks to pontoon bridge on Lopatnica river, built by Serbian Army, traffic on the river was only partially interrupted.

“This is a continuation of EU’s support for flood relief in Kraljevo. Thus far, the EU has provided grants for the reconstruction of 18 households and provision of furniture and appliance for 20 homes. It has supported 10 entrepreneurs and some 1,320 agricultural households,” said Mayor of Kraljevo Tomislav Ilic.

The project is funded by the EU and implemented by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The EU Assistance for Flood Relief in Serbia Programme, worth 30 million EUR, is financed by the European Union from IPA pre-accession funds. The money is allocated for the construction of new homes, reconstruction of public institutions, private houses, roads and revitalisation of economy and agriculture in 24 most affected municipalities: Bajina Basta, Valjevo, Varvarin, Velika Plana, Jagodina, Kosjeric, Koceljeva, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Krupanj, Lazarevac, Loznica, Ljubovija, Mali Zvornik, Obrenovac, Osecina, Paracin, Svilajnac, Smederevska Palanka, Trstenik, Ub, Cacak, Sabac and Sid. All field activities are carried out by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, HELP, ASB and Danish Refugee Council – in coordination with Government Office for Reconstruction and Flood Relief.