CONSTRUCTION OF THE ZEZELJ BRIDGE ON THE DANUBE RIVER IN NOVI SAD

NEED AND ADDED VALUE FOR THE DANUBE REGION STRATEGY: The construction of the rail/road bridge across the Danube in Novi Sad was one of the priority projects in the Master Plan for IWW Transport in Serbia (2006). The old Zezelj bridge was destroyed in NATO air strikes in 1999. The temporary constructed bridge did not comply with the required standards of the Danube Commission and EU standards. The new Zezelj bridge (within the European Rhine-Danube Corridor) was reconstructed until 2018 at the same location using the foundation of the bombed bridge. OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE PROJECT: Integration into the European Railway Transport Network, efficient and improved railway connection which results in increased interoperability between the Balkan area and the EU, using EU standards. Elimination the bottleneck on the European Rhine-Danube Corridor, as the temporary bridge represented an obstacle for navigation (limited heights at high water levels, limited fairway width due to curve radius). CONDUCTED PROJECT ACTIVITIES: 1. Construction of the new bridge according to FIDIC Red Book specifications: - Replacement of the existing temporary bridge with a new bridge for road and rail transport. - Creation of the appropriate width of the fairway in line with Danube Commission standards, which results in efficient navigation on the Danube and increases transport safety. 2. Supervision of construction of the new bridge according to FIDIC Yellow Book: - Daily supervision during the execution of the works. TRANSBOUNDARY IMPACT: The river traffic on the Serbian part of the Danube is mainly transit from the Black Sea to Hungary, Austria and Germany. Consequently, there is a noted benefit for the EU to keep this corridor functional and guarantee safe and efficient navigation. The implementation of the new bridge as part of this European network Corridor enhanced this. The bridge improves and enhances the railway connection. PROJECT BENEFICIARIES / TARGET GROUPS: The main beneficiaries of this project are the waterway users, the City of Novi Sad and Serbian Railways.