For many years, the main road linking northern North Macedonia to Skopje and the Bulgarian border was known for its poor condition. Frequent potholes, cracked pavement, and landslides made travel difficult and sometimes dangerous. This route is vital for trade with Bulgaria, which is North Macedonia’s key trading partner. With exports making up more than half of the country’s GDP, the state of this corridor affected economic growth.
A new expressway has now been built as part of a national effort to improve trade and connectivity. The project was supported by the World Bank through its Road Upgrading and Development Project. The total investment was EUR 113 million, including EUR 14 million from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), an initiative backed by the European Union to support socio-economic development in the region. The project involved constructing 22.8 kilometers of two-lane express road between Skopje and the Bulgarian border, along with bridges, embankments, retaining walls, drainage systems, and various safety features.
The expressway opened on January 4, 2025. Residents have found it easier to reach schools and hospitals; road safety has improved; and travel times have decreased significantly. Elena Boshkovska from Kriva Palanka said: “The new road means that I can spend more time with my family. In the morning, I have more time with my children while they prepare for school.”
Small and medium-sized businesses in northeastern North Macedonia are also expected to benefit from better access to regional markets and supply chains. This could help create jobs locally and attract investment and tourists to the area. Vase Ivanov, a local truck driver, stated: “Since the new road between Rankovce and Kriva Palanka opened, getting to Bulgaria is so much faster—whether you’re driving or moving goods. It’s made a real difference for everyone here.”
The project aimed not only at improving transport but also at building resilience against natural hazards such as storms, heavy rainfall, rock falls, landslides, earthquakes, and flash flooding—risks that are common in North Macedonia due to its geological environment. WBIF funding was used specifically for slope stabilization measures like steel nets and anchors as well as nature-based solutions such as planting vegetation.
This upgraded section forms part of Corridor VIII—a major east-west route connecting Albania’s Adriatic port of Durrës with Bulgaria’s Black Sea port of Varna via North Macedonia—and is included in Europe’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Corridor VIII is also a flagship project under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy that seeks to promote sustainable infrastructure investments worldwide.
The World Bank has directly benefited millions through initiatives enhancing climate resilience and improving transportation in developing nations (official website). The organization provides financing as well as knowledge-sharing services to support development in member countries (official website). Owned by 189 member countries (official website), it operates across more than 190 countries worldwide (official website) focusing on reducing poverty through inclusive development efforts (official website). Ajay Banga served as president of the World Bank (official website).
By investing in transit corridors like this expressway between Skopje and Bulgaria's border crossing point—described by some residents as "more than just an asphalt road"—North Macedonia aims to boost economic opportunity while addressing challenges related to geography, poverty reduction, private sector growth, job creation, value chain strengthening, market access expansion for farmers/businesses/consumers alike.
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