Transport

Following the granting of EU candidate status to Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, the three countries committed to aligning their transport policies and infrastructure development with the EU framework. Despite significant progress, further adjustments of legal and institutional frameworks and stronger administrative capacities are required to close harmonisation gaps and ensure effective integration with the EU transport market. Against this background, the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, with support from the European Commission, launched this Framework Contract to provide targeted technical assistance and capacity building to address the most pressing regulatory and institutional needs in the transport sectors of the three observing participants

The project provides technical assistance and capacity building to accelerate the integration of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine into the European transport market. It aims to support the three observing participants of the Transport Community in aligning their transport sectors with the EU acquis, particularly under Chapters 14 (Transport Policy) and 21 (Trans-European Networks).

The overall objective is to accelerate the integration of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine into the European transport market by supporting the alignment of their transport sectors with the EU acquis and the priorities of the Transport Community Treaty. Specific objectives include:

• Providing tailored technical assistance for the transposition and implementation of EU transport legislation.
• Supporting institutional and policy reforms to strengthen governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Enhancing the administrative and technical capacities of line ministries, agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitating the preparation of studies, designs, and project documentation in key transport areas, including road, rail, road safety, inland waterways, maritime transport, and TEN-T development.

The Framework Contract is expected to deliver:

• Improved compliance of the three countries with EU transport legislation, standards, and practices.
• Strengthened institutional capacity of ministries and agencies to design, manage, and implement reforms.
• Production of high-quality deliverables (e.g. legal acts, action plans, feasibility studies, technical specifications, tender dossiers) tailored to stakeholder needs.
• Successful organisation of training and capacity-building events, enabling transfer of knowledge and sustainable impact.

Overall progress in creating safer, more efficient, and more sustainable transport systems, fostering closer ties with the EU and preparing for potential future membership in the Transport Community

October 2023 marked a significant milestone for Croatia's strategic infrastructure. The state road DC403, stretching from the Škurinje junction to the Port of Rijeka, has officially opened to traffic! This project is more than just a road; it's a vital artery connecting Croatia's future Zagreb Deep Sea container terminal with the national highway network. The impact of this endeavour cannot be understated. Not only does it enhance the competitiveness of the Port of Rijeka, but it also paves the way for the flourishing development of Rijeka and the Primorje Gorski Kotar County.

The project value is approximately 67 million euros, while 85% of it was co-financed by European funds. The project's highlights include the construction of the impressive Podmurvice tunnel, extending 1263 meters beneath urban settlements, the Mlaka viaduct spanning 144 meters, the Piopi viaduct at 316 meters in length, two innovative roundabouts, and the intersection of Zvonimirova Street.

WYG Consulting provided invaluable project management and technical assistance services. Our experts tackled technical, legal, and economic challenges with precision and determination, ensuring the project's success and its far-reaching benefits to the community. We're thrilled to have played a part in this incredible journey and look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will have on Croatia's infrastructure, economy, and future growth.

Check out the newly opened road DC403: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj2yr9-ArwY

Croatia’s national road construction and maintenance agency issued a tender for a feasibility study for a road transport corridor between the towns of Žuta Lokva and Križišće on Croatia’s northern Adriatic coast. A team of five key experts designed five conceptual solutions, then used multi-criteria analysis and cost-benefit analysis to select the best possible design. The chosen solution was a 56.5km two-lane road that will significantly improve road safety, reduce travel time, remove road traffic from inhabited areas, and provide better local, national, and international accessibility, while simultaneously improving environmental impact over existing roads and reducing emissions.

The Berlin Process is an intergovernmental initiative to strengthen multilateral ties between the Western Balkans and EU member states and improve cooperation regarding infrastructure and economic development. The Process laid the groundwork for the Vienna and Paris Summits and the resulting Connectivity Agenda, which is currently one of the highest policy priorities for the region's countries. As sustainable economic growth is considered key to stability and integration in the Western Balkan countries (WB6), the Berlin Process focuses on strengthening economic governance by supporting the development of high priority transport and energy projects. The Vienna and Paris Agendas include large, complex infrastructure projects in transport and energy for which the EU has set aside €1 billion from 2014-2020.

Technical Assistance to Connectivity in the Western Balkans (ConnecTA) is a straightforward mechanism designed to reach a common vision shared by four sets of stakeholders: the EU, IFIs, beneficiaries, SEETO, and the Energy Committee (EnC). The project’s main objectives are to bring high-priority energy and transport infrastructure projects to maturity for investment co-financing and to support short- and medium-term regional reform measures in the transport sector. WYG’s is a partner for a consortium with four partners (Mott MacDonald, COWI, CESTRA, TRENECON) to provide technical support in implementing priority connectivity infrastructure projects and supporting connectivity through regional transport and energy policy.

The comprehensive package of services provided by WYG for this project, valued at over €17,000,000, includes pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, financial affordability analysis, detailed technical designs, budget and financing plans, tender documentation and support, training courses, monitoring and evaluation of engineering works, social impact assessment, and more.