Corridor 8 and the Kichevo–Ohrid Motorway: Same Route, Higher Price. Where the Hundreds of Millions Go

The director of the Public Enterprise for State Roads, Kotse Trajanovski, toured the Gostivar–Bukojchani and Kichevo–Ohrid motorway sites together with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Deputy PM Aleksandar Nikoloski, both part of Corridor 8. The inspection found visible progress and heavy use of machinery and labour.

On the Gostivar–Bukojchani stretch, work is under way on 11 of a planned 31 kilometres. A 1,200-person work camp and a concrete plant are operating, and the bridge at kilometre seven is fully passable. On the Tetovo–Gostivar section, work covers about 14 of 17.5 kilometres.

The Kichevo–Ohrid motorway, originally budgeted at about €375 million through a Chinese Exim Bank loan, now stands at nearly €803 million after an eighth annex to the contract — €220 million above the original agreement. That eighth annex, adding €186.28 million, was signed by Trajanovski himself, who has led the public enterprise since 2024.

The project has drawn controversy for years. It was the subject of the "Trajectory" criminal case, over suspicion that kickbacks were sought and a costlier bid knowingly chosen over cheaper alternatives — a case that lapsed under the statute of limitations after changes to the criminal code.

Part of the route, the Vrbjani–Botun stretch, has been open since July last year, and the Klimeshtani–Ohrid section since September. Full connection from Kichevo to Ivanin Dol is expected by January 2027.

MKNews Hub · Economy · September 14, 2026