By rosebell
The €125.23M Kvanj Tunnel–Buna design-and-build contract is being delivered by a consortium comprising China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), Azerbaijan-based Azvirt and local contractor Hering d.d. Široki Brijeg.
Kvanj is a twin-tube NATM road tunnel forming the principal underground element of the 5.25km Kvanj Tunnel–Buna subsection, south of Mostar. The right-hand tube is 2,645m long and the parallel left-hand tube 2,720m.
JP Autoceste FBiH design information gives a maximum overburden of 245m, with tunnelling through limestone, marly limestone and marl. Anticipated geomechanical conditions comprise approximately 35% Class I–II ground, 35% Class III, 13% Class IV and 17% Class V.
The breakthrough of the right-hand tube was marked by a ceremony on 7 September. Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić said the breakthrough followed months of work by hundreds of personnel and represented an important step towards completing Corridor Vc.
The construction contract was signed in October 2024 and is being delivered under the FIDIC Yellow Book, with the contractor responsible for detailed design as well as construction. JP Autoceste FBiH gives the construction period as 30 months.
Financing is being provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB), supplemented by EU grant funding through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.
In addition to the Kvanj Tunnel, the package includes the Rotimski Potok viaduct, comprising separate structures of approximately 310m and 330m for the two carriageways, and the 44m-span Rujevice overpass. A 1.4km connecting road is also included.
The subsection will connect at its southern end with the completed Buna–Počitelj motorway section.
Work continues on the parallel Kvanj tunnel tube and the remaining structures following completion of the first excavation.
