North Macedonia started 2025 ambitiously. In mid-January, two major transport projects were inaugurated. On 14 January, the Gradsko-Drenovo expressway was officially opened, followed just a few days later, on 17 January, by the completion of the renovated railway section between Kumanovo and Beljakovce.
These projects, supported by the European Union, the Government of North Macedonia, and international partners such as the EBRD, will improve road safety, strengthen regional connections, and drive economic growth. Representatives of the Transport Community, who attended the openings, emphasised the significance of these developments for the entire transport network of the Western Balkans.
The newly opened expressway between Gradsko and Drenovo will significantly improve the movement of people and goods across the region. Travel times will be reduced, and the connection between North Macedonia and Greece will be strengthened, opening up new trade and economic opportunities. Residents along the route will benefit from cleaner air, reduced noise pollution, and safer crossings, as transit traffic will be diverted.
Opening of a Key Railway Section – Corridor VIII
In recent days, significant attention has also been focused on railway infrastructure. The first section of Corridor VIII, a key transport route connecting Skopje and Sofia and linking the Adriatic and Black Seas, has been inaugurated. The new railway line between Kumanovo and Beljakovce will offer passengers faster and more comfortable travel, while also providing businesses with improved freight transport options.
This railway section is part of the Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean Corridor, one of nine key routes in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), which links the Western Balkans with the European Union. This corridor not only facilitates trade and travel but also helps the region integrate more effectively into the EU economy.
The Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean Corridor connects Central European countries with Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean ports via the Western Balkans. It runs through eight EU member states—Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy—as well as across the entire Western Balkans.
