Kriva Palanka, 1 March 2026 (MIA) – In the coming period, the region of Kriva Palanka and this part of Macedonia will see hundreds of millions of euros in investments, in projects aimed to connect Macedonia and Corridor 8 with the neighbours and Kriva Palanka serves as the entry point of Corridor 8, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Sunday.

Mickoski, who attended the inauguration of the reconstructed bypass in Kriva Palanka, part of Corridor 8, alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski and Koce Trajanovski, director of the State Roads Public Enterprise, called these projects “an added values for both the citizens and the Macedonian economy.”

“The new section, a bypass near Kumanovo, is expected to make Kriva Palanka a developing town whose residents are satisfied wanting to spend their lives here – something which is the goal of the government. Also, to motivate people to come back, especially those from Western Europe, after seeing that it is being invested here. To come back so that we can boost our economy,” he said.

The government, the prime minister added, keeps on being focused on capital investments with passenger, railway and energy connection of the country being the government’s top priority.

This project launched and concluded by the current government within the deadline is an example of commitment, said Deputy PM Nikoloski, who stressed that with this project, road connection with Bulgaria is fully rehabilitated. 

“It is not only a bypass in Kriva Palanka, it is a vital part of Corridor 8 in which we have been investing a lot,” he added. 

Nikoloski announced that the Deve Bair border crossing with Bulgaria will be also reconstructed with the first stage, reconstruction of the existing premises, expected to be concluded by June. The border crossing will be expanded as part of the second stage.

We’re completing the eastern wing of Corridor 8 with the expressway to Stracin, the bypass and the reconstruction of the border crossing, said Nikoloski.

The reconstructed bypass is 4.5 meters long and 7.5 meters wide with horizontal and vertical signalling installed. Two bridges were also overhauled.

We’re not stopping here, said Trajanovski, director of the State Roads Public Enterprise.

“Last year we opened the expressway Stracin - Kriva Palanka and the Kriva Palanka - Deve Bair road was reconstructed and expanded before that. Talks have begun for the extension of Corridor 8, from Stracin, through Strezovce to Romanovce, with the construction of a bypass around Kumanovo. Work is underway on the reconstruction of existing and new road solutions, which will contribute to the development of Kriva Palanka and the region,” said Trajanovski.

The project, an investment estimated at 65.5 million denars, was implemented through the State Roads Public Enterprise.

Photo: MIA, Government