To enhance both domestic and international connectivity, the Government of Montenegro has planned several major infrastructure projects in the coming years, with the support of the European Union (EU).
The most imminent project is the second section of the motorway that, once completed, will connect the towns of Bar and Boljare. This stretch covers 21 kilometres between Mateševo and Andrijevica, a mountainous and rocky terrain requiring a total investment of €605 million. Of this amount, €200 million will come from a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), complemented by EU co-financing. Building this motorway section will eliminate a physical barrier between the central-southern and northern parts of Montenegro, while also enabling the country to establish stronger connections with other regional players.
Recently, the Montenegrin government also announced plans to launch tenders for 17 additional road and infrastructure projects, aimed at improving connectivity and modernising the country to drive economic growth. Regarding air transport, the Montenegrin authorities have confirmed that by April 2025, the long-awaited national airport concession procedure will be in place, aiming to enhance services for travellers and tourists. A recent example of such an initiative is Tirana Airport in Albania, which has become a key regional hub thanks to its concessionaire.
However, rail transport also requires significant improvements, as Montenegro’s ageing railway network is in urgent need of modernisation. Among the most important projects is the rehabilitation of the Vrbnica-Podgorica-Bar railway line, part of the TEN-T network, financed with €80 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Additionally, the EIB and EBRD will co-finance the renovation of the Bar-Golubovci railway, a €246.5 million project that includes upgrades to stations, tunnels, bridges, and signalling systems.
Further growth opportunities could arise from the modernisation of the Port of Bar, Montenegro’s main commercial port. Its redevelopment would open new trade routes towards Asia. Alongside rail transport, the port is considered a strategic investment within the Ministry of Transport’s five-year infrastructure plan.
The development of Montenegro’s infrastructure plays a crucial role in the country’s EU accession process. If 2024 proved to be a successful year for Podgorica, marked by the achievement of the IBAR (confirming progress in the rule of law) and the closure of three negotiation chapters, the goal of joining the EU single market also depends on the integration of Montenegro’s multimodal transport infrastructure.
