North and South of Mitrovica connected by new bridge

South and North Mitrovica were connected on Wednesday by a new pedestrian bridge. At its opening, citizens expressed their satisfaction with the construction, while the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, said that with the commissioning of this bridge, traffic between citizens living on both sides of the Ibar River will increase.

Just minutes before the inauguration, final work was being done on the new pedestrian bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica. Some workers were welding the side guards while others were busy adjusting the lighting. 

While these works were in progress, entry and exit to the bridge were prohibited by the Police. In addition to citizens, the terrain was monitored from the area above by members of the NATO mission in Kosovo – KFOR. 

And those citizens who had the opportunity to visit the bridge before the inauguration expressed their satisfaction with its construction. 

"A very good decision to build this bridge. It was necessary, we come here, there is a market on this side, they can also come from there," said Mitrovica citizen Hamdi Gjosha.

Another resident, Rexhep Braimi, says that the new bridge provides convenience for the citizens of this municipality.

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"I used to live in that part, up north, now I live down here in the south. We used to not be able to go either way, now we have the opportunity, why not. Both are necessary, 10 dogs are necessary," he said.

In addition to the local citizens of Mitrovica, several expatriates were also present for the bridge opening ceremony. 

Musa Gashi, who lives in the Netherlands, traveled to Mitrovica from his hometown of Peja.

"I believe it is necessary. Every bridge is welcome that connects peoples, does not create divisions. It is a better communication or movement for every people," he emphasized.

And when everything was ready for the bridge to be put into operation, the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, the Mayor of Mitrovica, Faton Peci, and several acting Government ministers arrived. 

Kurti described the opening of the bridge as an important day for citizens on both sides of the Ibar.

"After the bridge for vehicles, they will also have a pedestrian bridge in order to increase traffic and have as much mobility as possible in Mitrovica, in this city so important for our Republic," he said.

The Mayor of Mitrovica, Peci, attributed the merits for the bridge to Kurti.

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"Finally, Mitrovica is taking the right direction and the bridges that have a mission and are synonymous with unity are finally taking the right direction and direction. This has been achieved thanks to the commitment, dedication and stability of Prime Minister Kurti," he said. 

And the acting Minister of Infrastructure, Hysen Durmishi, also called the bridge a work of art.

"Today we are marking the opening of a work that is both hydraulic and artistic, not just a pedestrian bridge, a work of art that will magnify this space over the Ibar River," said Durmishi.

In August, the government opened another bridge across the central Ibar River, which divides the city of Mitrovica into an Albanian-populated south and a Serb-majority north, to vehicle traffic. It has remained in the middle and unused for the purpose of connecting the south with the north. 

For this reason, some citizens of Mitrovica criticized the European Union (EU) for still not fully opening the central bridge. 

"This is not a good decision by the EU, because they have invested and tried to block this part. This investment that was made here today was made with great care," said citizen Rexhep Braimi.

And for the prime minister, the two bridges built during his government are not enough, while he pledged to also work to open the central bridge.

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"The only bridge that has uniformed personnel on it all the time is the main bridge over the Ibar. I believe there is no need for KFOR members to be there," he said.

The main bridge over the Ibar River was closed in 1999 and has never been fully functional since. Since 2011, it has been open to pedestrians but not to vehicles - the only ones that cross it are KFOR vehicles.