The bridge on the Musa river in Kraljevo, constructed by the EU following the May 2014 floods, was officially opened for traffic today. European Union has earmarked EUR150,000 through EU Assistance for Flood Relief in Serbia Programme, to construct two bridges in Kraljevo, on rivers Musa and Lopatnica, fully constructed as of early December 2015.
“Thanks to European Union both bridges have been constructed on time, but the most important thing is that citizens find them satisfying. We hope to cooperate with EU again in the future, and the plan is to construct eight more bridges in Kraljevo,” said Mayor of Kraljevo Tomislav Ilic.
Central pillar of the old bridge had collapsed due to the rise in water level and River Musa overflowing, thus cutting 50 households off of their arable land. Also, residents of this neighbourhood had take to take a detour to reach down town Kraljevo.
Prior to the construction of the bridge, riverbanks had been rehabilitated and the terrain cleaned. The flood caused instability on riverbanks, hence particular attention was paid to their strengthening especially on places where of the main support of the bridge, 14 metres in lenght.
“Thanks to EU support, the bridge on River Musa now connects two villages. Some 1,000 residents no langer have to take a detour to reach their land,” said President of Local Community Musina Reka Djordje Milutinovic.
the bridge on River Musa has been constructed using reinforced and pre-stressed concrete, whereas a thee-metre wide bridge deck has been hydroislated and sealed with two layers of asphalt. Also, drainage of surface water has been regulated.
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 state institutions, private houses, roads and revitalisation of economy and agriculture in 24 municipalities most affected by floods: 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 activities on the ground are carried out by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), organisations HELP and ASB, as well as Danish Refugee Council (DRC) – in coordination with Government’s Office for Assistance and Reconstruction of Flooded Areas.
