BergerWorld: 2nd Quarter 2005

The efficient movement of goods and people often requires a complex network of air, water, rail and road transportation. Coordinating these diverse modes of transportation into an integrated system requires an understanding of alternate transportation modes, transportation modeling and policy, as well as the ability to encourage cooperation from disparate agencies. Since 1986, the Berger Group has worked to coordinate multimodal networks around the globe.

The improvement of multimodal networks holds the key for faster and more efficient transportation across Eastern Europe, facilitating greater trade, tourism and regional cooperation. To develop these vital networks, the European Conference of Ministers of Transport, with funding from the French Development Agency (AFD), selected Louis Berger SAS to undertake a comprehensive study of regional transport in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania and Yugoslavia.

The Team evaluated the existing rail, highway, port and waterway networks and available aviation facilities then analyzed current traffic demand and prepared a master plan for improvements to the regional transportation network. Developing an international transportation network required extensive cooperation between the Berger team and planners from each of the participating nations.

The analysis included the development of new transport policies as well as identifying priority improvements to the regional and national transportation system to accommodate increased traffic volume. The transportation plan will improve traffic flows throughout the region and assist Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania and Yugoslavia in meeting the ambitious targets of the Pan-European Corridors and the Trans-European Network.

Through funding from the European Union (EU), Berger also assisted the Ministry of Transport and Communications to develop a multimodal rail and road network improvement program for the land-locked state of Macedonia. Macedonia currently has 3,000 kilometers of railroads and 8,600 kilometers of highways. The Berger team worked closely with officials from Macedonian Railways and the Fund for National and Regional Roads to identify areas in need of improvement. To upgrade the rail network, Berger proposed plans for the construction of a high-speed, north-south railway line and prepared a rehabilitation plan for the Veles-Bitola and Bitola-Kremenica sections of the Veles-Greek border line. To provide improved international rail links, the Berger team analyzed alternate access routes to Albania through the cities of Kicevo and Bitola.

Berger also focused on developing Macedonia's road network, particularly National Road M5, a section of the Pan European Corridor XD. The Team prepared detailed designs for the reconstruction of a 20-kilometer section from Bitola to Medzitlija and tender documents for the 76-kilometer section between Veles and Prilep, two of the most heavily traveled links in Macedonia. In addition to developing plans for the upgrade, Berger also analyzed several proposed concessions for the 96-kilometer National Route M5 and recommended modernizing the toll system by introducing electronic tolls and updating tolls to provide additional funding for upgrades.

The Team also developed an innovative rail and highway transportation plan to blend these new transit networks at a multimodal terminal in Skopje to facilitate increased public transit and provide a transit point for international cargo. Berger specialists prepared economic and financial feasibility evaluations, focusing on building public-private partnerships to fund development and wrote the concession documents and supporting environmental impact statements. Because of the importance of these investments, Berger engineers simultaneously prepared plans for both the rail and the highway upgrades. Throughout the course of this assignment, Team members organized roundtables and case study discussions for officials and planners from the Ministry of Transport and Communications to enhance their ability to plan, finance and launch multimodal transportation programs.