The construction of a new express road from Bački Sokolac to Sombor is a key phase of the ambitious “Smile of Vojvodina” (Osmeh Vojvodine) project, part of Serbia’s national development strategy “Serbia 2025”. According to Ekapija, the total investment in this infrastructure project is estimated at €430 million, with the route stretching approximately 175 kilometers.
SRBIJA NEWS – The new IB-class expressway (brzi put) will connect the Hungarian border at Bački Breg with the Romanian border at Srpska Crnja, passing through key towns in Vojvodina such as Sombor, Vrbas, Bačka Topola, Kikinda, Bečej, and Novi Bečej.
Construction work is well underway on the section between Kljajićevo, Telečka, and Bački Sokolac. As reported by Sombor.info in November 2024, the first phase—a 6.5 km segment between Kljajićevo and Telečka—has already been completed. The second phase, covering the 5.85 km stretch from Telečka to Bački Sokolac, is now in its final stage. Workers have finished building embankments, strengthening shoulders, and preparing the base for asphalt up to the area near Gornja Rogatica. Full completion of this segment is expected by the end of 2025.
This road holds significant importance for the region’s economic and social development. Experts emphasize that it will greatly improve connectivity between the western and eastern parts of Vojvodina, reduce travel time between Hungary and Romania, enhance road safety, and foster growth in logistics, agribusiness, and tourism. According to 021.rs, the completed expressway will also increase the region’s investment appeal and provide better access to healthcare, education, and commercial services for local residents.
The symbolic name of the project — Smile of Vojvodina — reflects its optimistic vision: the road will link dozens of towns and villages, improve everyday life for thousands of people, and move Vojvodina closer to the standards of modern European infrastructure. Upon completion, the project is expected to boost employment, speed up freight and passenger transport, and support tourism in rural parts of the province.
