CROATIAN ROADS AND KONCAR SIGN 16.2 MILLION EUROS CONTRACT

ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - Croatian Roads (HAC) and Split Brodomerkur on Wednesday signed a contract valued at 16.2 million euros on the construction of electrical power installations for the Sveti Rok tunnel and the entire highway from the tunnel to the Maslenica turnpike on the Zagreb-Split Highway which need to be completed in six months time. #L# The contract was signed by the president of HAC administration Board, Stanko Kovac and on behalf of Koncar, Darinko Bago. Kovac said that the high voltage structure - i.e. the construction of the existing structure and the construction of new transformer stations and cables along the highway from Bosiljevo to Split will require about 75.34 million euros. The business corporation was selected via a public tender and the works valued at 16.6 million euros (without VAT) should end in six months time and no later than May 2003. The works involve the construction and reconstruction of the electrical power structures such as transformer stations, high wire cables and cables to supply electricity to the Sv. Rok tunnel and two sections of the Zagreb-Split Highway to the Sv. Rok turnpike - Sv. Rok tunnel and then the Sv. Rok tunnel - Maslenica (a total of 32.6 kilometres). In addition to reconstructing existing transformer stations, two new ones will be constructed with 16 & 20 megavolts. Some 70 kilometres of cables will be laid down in the project. Resigned Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction Minister Radimir Cacic said that this event in domestic road construction will significantly influence economic growth in Croatia. Cacic claimed that barriers to Croatia's development and new investments - namely "greenfield" investments for energy infrastructure in the country required investing into its development. (hina) sp it