Acting Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla announced on social media the opening of a new bridge over the Ibër River. The river separates Mitrovica into the south, inhabited mainly by Albanians, and the north, inhabited mainly by Serbs.

Sveçla wrote, “Dear citizens of Mitrovica and all of Kosova, congratulations on the new bridge,” and shared a photo of vehicles crossing it.

Authorities started building two bridges on both sides of the main Ibër River crossing months ago. Construction faced opposition from local Serbs and reactions from the international community.

The Kosova Government stressed that one bridge for pedestrians and another for vehicles aims to connect North and South Mitrovica. The project also seeks to improve daily life for residents.

Construction costs reached about three million euros. Work is expected to finish by autumn. The new bridge measures 51 meters in length and 10 meters in width. Sidewalks stretch 1.5 meters on each side.

/a.p./