New Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina border crossing set to open
- by croatiaweek
- in News
Illustration (Photo: Petr Vilgus/CC BY-SA 4.0)
A new border crossing between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina near Stara Gradiška could soon be opened, following the removal of the final administrative hurdle concerning its official categorisation.
According to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ministry of Security, the last missing members of the joint interstate border commission have now been appointed, a key step that had delayed progress for several months, Poslovni dnevnik reported.
Documentation confirming the appointments has been sent from the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Ministry of Security.
The Bosnian members of the commission are scheduled to meet on 10 November to agree on their negotiating positions ahead of discussions with the Croatian side.
The commission will decide on the categorisation of the crossing, with expectations that, alongside Stara Gradiška, several other crossings could also gain upgraded status. This would allow them to handle not only passenger traffic but also freight transport.
Croatian Side Ready for Opening
On the Croatian side, construction and equipping of the new crossing have been completed, with only a final technical inspection remaining before it can open to traffic.
The first phase of the express road leading towards Okučani has also been finished, further improving regional connectivity.
Across the Sava River, Bosnia and Herzegovina had already completed all necessary infrastructure earlier, including the bridge over the Sava, which was finished in 2022.
The bridge connects directly to the motorway towards Banja Luka and Doboj, ensuring a modern transport link between the two countries.
Once operational, the new Stara Gradiška crossing is expected to significantly ease congestion at the nearby Gradiška border crossing, one of the busiest in the region for years.
The move is seen as an important step towards improving trade flow, travel efficiency, and regional cooperation between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
