Only 150 of the planned 340 kilometres of Corridor Vc through Bosnia and Herzegovina have been built in 25 years. An average pace of 6 km per year means drivers still plan their journeys around construction sites, temporary closures, and diversions onto trunk roads. More than half of BiH's population lives within 40 km of Corridor Vc, generating over 60 per cent of the country's GDP, so the state of this route directly affects the daily lives of millions. In the summer of 2026 the situation is particularly interesting because new sections are opening and existing ones are closing for further construction at the same time. This overview covers everything a BiH driver needs to know before getting behind the wheel.
This analysis was prepared by the Auto Gas Gaga workshop in Banja Luka, based on publicly available reports, data from JP Autoceste FBiH, and years of experience travelling on BiH roads.
Here is a status overview of the key sections in the summer of 2026. The status refers to July 2026 and may change during the construction season, so always check BIHAMK for the latest information before setting off.
| Section | Length | Status (July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Svilaj - Odžak | ~20 km | Open |
| Poprikuše - Nemila - Vranduk (Bosna Tunnel) | 11 km | Temporarily closed (connection works) |
| Putnikovo Brdo - Medakovo (Tešanj) | 8.5 km | Completed, awaiting opening |
| Ozimica - Poprikuše (Žepče - Maglaj) | 12.8 km | Tender failed, delayed |
| Sarajevo - Tarčin | ~30 km | Open |
| Banja Luka - Doboj Motorway | 72 km | Open, no construction |
Table of Contents
- Corridor Vc in Numbers: 150 of 340 km in 25 Years
- What Opened in 2025 and 2026
- Zenica-Žepče Section Closed Again for Works
- What Is Under Construction and When Will It Be Finished
- Banja Luka-Doboj Motorway: The Complete Route
- How Much Does It Cost to Drive on a BiH Motorway
- What This Means for Your Journey This Summer
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
Corridor Vc in Numbers: 150 of 340 km in 25 Years
The total planned length of Corridor Vc through BiH is 335-340 km, from the Croatian border in the north at Svilaj to the Croatian border in the south at Bijača. After a full 25 years of construction, approximately 150 km have been built, roughly 45 per cent of the total route. The average annual pace is about 6 km of new motorway. By comparison, Hungary and Croatia completed their sections of Corridor Vc in full, while BiH lags significantly behind despite continuous funding from EU funds and international credit lines.
Total investment to date stands at around 1.5 billion EUR from international creditors and EU grants. That is a serious figure, but it is spread across many projects at varying stages of completion. The next 40 km in various phases of construction or preparation could speed things up, but only if tenders stop collapsing and deadlines stop slipping. The history of this project suggests caution with any predictions.
Corridor Vc is not just a transit highway. More than 50 per cent of BiH's population lives within 40 km of this route, generating over 60 per cent of total GDP. This means the motorway is not merely a matter of holiday travel comfort. For half the country it is fundamental transport infrastructure on which daily life, work, and the economy depend. Every construction delay has measurable consequences for the entire region's economy.
What Opened in 2025 and 2026
The biggest news from late 2025 was the opening of the Poprikuše-Nemila-Vranduk section, totalling 11 km. This section includes the Bosna Tunnel, the longest tunnel on Corridor Vc at 3.6 km, which entered service on 17 December 2025. EU grants for this section amounted to 42 million EUR, alongside favourable loans of 227.5 million EUR from European development banks. The total investment in this single section was close to 270 million EUR, illustrating just how expensive each kilometre of motorway through the Bosnian mountains really is.
For many drivers who regularly travel from Zenica towards northern Bosnia, the opening of the Bosna Tunnel meant finally avoiding the narrow and dangerous canyon of the River Bosna near Vranduk. The M-17 trunk road on that stretch had been notorious for frequent accidents for years, particularly in winter when slippery surfaces and reduced visibility made conditions even worse. Passing through the tunnel instead of winding through the canyon shortened the journey and dramatically improved safety on that route.
Near Tešanj, another important section has been completed that brings the vision of an uninterrupted motorway closer. The Putnikovo Brdo-Medakovo section has a total length of 8.5 km. The contractor is Euroasfalt, and the project value is 167 million EUR. The section includes two new bridges, Tešanjka 1 and Tešanjka 2, plus the Hrastik Tunnel. According to the latest information from January 2026, the section is physically complete and awaiting official opening.
This is an important piece of the puzzle because this section sits precisely between the already open Banja Luka-Doboj motorway to the north and the Zenica-Žepče section to the south. Once the link between Doboj and Zenica is completed, drivers will for the first time be able to travel by motorway from Banja Luka to Zenica without a lengthy detour onto trunk roads. That day has not yet arrived, but the new section near Tešanj brings it closer than ever.
Zenica-Žepče Section Closed Again for Works
If you drove through the new section near Zenica in December or January, including the Bosna Tunnel, and thought it was finally done, that impression is understandable. The section was indeed open to normal traffic for the first six months after opening. Drivers quickly got used to the new tunnel and the comfortable ride instead of winding through the canyon. Everything looked like a permanent step forward.
In early July 2026 the section was closed again. The reason is not a fault or a safety issue with the tunnel or the section itself. It is a continuation of works to connect this section with neighbouring sections towards the northern segments, specifically towards Žepče. Without this physical connection, the motorway cannot function as a continuous route from Zenica towards Doboj, and that continuity is the ultimate goal of the entire project.
Drivers have been diverted back onto the M-17 trunk road, the very road they thought they had finally left behind. This can feel frustrating and understandably provokes criticism, but it is an integral part of the construction process. The closure is not permanent and is not a sign of some new problem. When the connection works are finished, the section will reopen, this time as part of a longer continuous motorway stretch that will finally make sense as a whole.
For anyone planning a journey along this route, the key point is to check the current situation immediately before departure. The closure and opening schedule may change throughout the summer, and BIHAMK regularly publishes road condition updates. Information a week old may already be outdated. Check on the day you travel.
What Is Under Construction and When Will It Be Finished
Two active projects define the next phases of construction on Corridor Vc. The Putnikovo Brdo-Medakovo section near Tešanj (8.5 km) is physically complete with all bridges and the Hrastik Tunnel, and is awaiting official opening. It could potentially open during 2026, but the exact date depends on administrative procedures, final technical inspections, and obtaining an occupancy permit.
The second project is far more problematic. The Ozimica-Poprikuše section, 12.8 km long and situated between Žepče and Maglaj, is the critical missing link for connecting the north and south of Corridor Vc. The project is estimated at 665 million KM. The supervision tender has failed for the second time, meaning significant delays. Instead of the planned completion by the end of 2026, the finish has been pushed to 2027 or even later.
Failed tenders are a chronic problem of infrastructure projects in BiH. Each failed tender triggers a new round of advertising, bid evaluation, and contract signing, which easily consumes six to twelve months of pure administrative time. For the Ozimica-Poprikuše section, this delay practically means that the complete uninterrupted Zenica-Doboj link will not materialise in 2026. Drivers travelling this route will still have to use trunk roads for part of the journey, even once all other sections in this corridor are open.
South of Zenica, towards Sarajevo, there are built sections operating under normal conditions. The section from Sarajevo towards Tarčin and further towards Konjic is part of the same main route, but the motorway standard on this stretch covers only part of the total distance southward. Towards Mostar and beyond to the Croatian border, the situation is even more uncertain. Existing plans envisage a continuation of the motorway, but concrete tenders and deadlines for this part of the route have yet to be determined. Of the total planned 340 km, around 190 km are still waiting for even the start of serious planning and design, showing just how far this project is from completion.
Besides Corridor Vc, BiH has several smaller motorway segments. The section from Sarajevo towards Tarčin serves as a motorway link for exiting the capital towards the southwest. This route is used by everyone travelling towards Jablanica, Konjic, and onwards to Mostar, though after Tarčin drivers switch to the trunk road. The experience of driving on a motorway in BiH differs significantly from what drivers are used to in Croatia or Serbia, as toll plazas operate on an open-toll system at each exit rather than a single charge at entry.
Banja Luka-Doboj Motorway: The Complete Route
The Banja Luka-Doboj motorway, also known as the 9 January motorway, is fully completed and operational with a total length of 72 km. It was opened in phases from 2016 to 2018 and cost around 180 million EUR from European bank loans. This route is not formally part of Corridor Vc, but it is practically the most important motorway link in Republika Srpska and the only complete motorway route in BiH that operates without a single interruption from one end to the other.
For drivers from Banja Luka heading towards central Bosnia, the motorway to Doboj is the first part of the journey. At Doboj, drivers switch to the trunk road towards Zenica or Sarajevo. Once the Doboj-Zenica link on Corridor Vc is finally completed, drivers from Banja Luka could reach Sarajevo by motorway for almost the entire journey, with only short interruptions until the remaining sections are also finished. That is the vision for the coming years, but the 72 km from Banja Luka to Doboj already works flawlessly with no surprises along the way.
A particular advantage of this motorway is that there are no active construction sites, no temporary closures, and no diversions. You drive from Banja Luka to Doboj at full speed, in both directions, without a single surprise. For anyone used to the ordeal of diversions on Corridor Vc, this route is an example of how a motorway should function once it is finished.
How Much Does It Cost to Drive on a BiH Motorway
Tolls are charged on sections managed by JP Autoceste FBiH on Corridor Vc and on the Banja Luka-Doboj motorway. Payment is possible by cash, card, or TAG device. The TAG device is worthwhile for drivers who regularly use the motorway as it provides a discount on every passage and faster transit through toll plazas without stopping. For a complete toll table by section, a detailed description of the TAG device, and the Toll4All payment system, see our guide to motorway tolls in BiH. The toll amount depends on the section and vehicle category, and the complete table with all prices and instructions for purchasing a TAG can be found in that guide.
For drivers arriving from Croatia and entering BiH at Svilaj, it is important to know that queues can form at the border crossing during the summer season. Plan extra time for the border crossing, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. After entering BiH, the motorway infrastructure on this part of the route is limited and you will quickly transition to trunk roads towards the interior.
What This Means for Your Journey This Summer
If you are travelling by motorway in BiH this summer, here are the practical things to know. The Zenica-Žepče section, including the Bosna Tunnel, is closed in July 2026 for works connecting it to the northern segments. This means you must use the M-17 trunk road on this stretch. Check BIHAMK before every trip as the closure schedule may change, and new openings are possible during the summer and autumn.
The Banja Luka-Doboj motorway is operating normally, without restrictions and without active construction sites. Sections around Sarajevo and towards Tarčin are operating under normal conditions. The new section near Tešanj could open during 2026, but an official date confirmation has not yet been announced.
For journeys to the coast, a combination of motorway and trunk road remains the only option. A complete motorway link from north to south through BiH does not yet exist and will not exist by the end of 2026. Planning your route in advance, with a check on current closures and alternative routes, saves both time and stress. The M-17 trunk road can be congested on certain stretches, particularly at weekends in July and August when summer holidays begin and travellers head for the coast.
Summer is also the construction season, which paradoxically means that temporary closures and diversions are most likely precisely during the period of heaviest traffic. Temporary closures such as the one on the Zenica-Žepče section cause congestion on trunk road routes, especially on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. Timing your departure outside those peaks can mean the difference between a pleasant journey and hours of sitting in a queue.
Prepare your car for a longer trip, especially if you plan a combination of motorway and trunk road, where driving conditions differ significantly. The motorway allows higher speeds and a constant driving rhythm, while trunk roads demand more attention due to two-way traffic, narrower lanes, and passage through towns. Check your tyres, fluid levels, air conditioning, and braking system before you set off. If you need help with preparing your car for a summer trip, see our detailed guide. Half an hour in the garage before departure can prevent a half-day breakdown beside a trunk road in summer heat.
The state of Corridor Vc in the summer of 2026 can be summarised as follows: progress exists but is slow and accompanied by chronic delays. Of the planned 340 km, 150 km have been built in 25 years, with another 40 km at various stages of preparation or construction. Around 20 km of new motorway should open within the next year or two, but the history of this project teaches us to take deadlines with a pinch of salt. For a driver planning a specific trip, the situation boils down to a few practical facts: the Banja Luka-Doboj motorway works without problems, the Zenica-Žepče section is temporarily closed, the new section near Tešanj is awaiting opening, and everything else is trunk road. Check BIHAMK, prepare your car, and go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which parts of the motorway in BiH are open in summer 2026?
The Banja Luka-Doboj motorway (72 km) is fully open with no construction. Sections around Sarajevo and towards Tarčin are operating normally. The Zenica-Žepče section with the Bosna Tunnel is temporarily closed in July 2026 for works connecting it to the northern segments. The new section near Tešanj (8.5 km) is physically complete and awaiting official opening.
Why is the Zenica-Žepče section closed again if it was recently opened?
The Poprikuše-Nemila-Vranduk section with the Bosna Tunnel opened on 17 December 2025 and was in normal service for six months. In July 2026 it was closed again because works are under way to physically connect it with neighbouring sections towards Žepče. The closure is temporary and necessary for the motorway to function as a continuous route.
How much of Corridor Vc in BiH has been built in total?
Of the planned 335-340 km through BiH, approximately 150 km have been built, roughly 45 per cent of the total route. The construction pace averages 6 km per year over 25 years. The next 40 km are at various stages of preparation or construction.
When will the Zenica-Doboj motorway link be completed?
The complete uninterrupted Zenica-Doboj motorway link will not be finished in 2026. The critical Ozimica-Poprikuše section (12.8 km) is delayed because the supervision tender has failed for the second time, pushing completion to 2027 or later. The section near Tešanj is finished and awaiting opening, but on its own it does not complete the entire link.
Can you pay by cash or card on BiH motorways?
Tolls on BiH motorways can be paid by cash, card, or TAG device. The TAG device provides a discount and faster transit without stopping at toll plazas. A complete toll table and TAG instructions can be found in our toll guide.
Where can you check the current motorway status before travelling?
BIHAMK (the Bosnia and Herzegovina Automobile and Motorcycle Club) regularly publishes road condition information, including temporary closures and diversions. Check the status on the day of travel as the section closure schedule may change during the construction season.