ANALYSIS
drivers, we were able to develop a fast track
construction method which met their requirements. Through this joint collaboration, we were able to open several sections
of the Route 7 Motorway each year, since
2011, whilst still completing the overall project over a year ahead of schedule and without exceeding the planned budget. It is this
track record of successfully completing difficult projects in collaboration with governments across the region and beyond that
sets us apart from our competitors. Our
successful tendering of the new motorway
from Pristina to Macedonia can be attributed to this execution style and customer satisfaction level.
were incorporated into the design from the beginning, preventing the need for installation at a later
date. With the installation of service areas for functionality, and incorporation of toll plazas to implement at the most cost effective opportunity, Kosovo’s
potential for revenue generation has grown.
The project has contributed enormously to the local
economy. The Kosovo motorway project team exceeded its contractual requirements for a minimum
of 40% of the contract price to be spent on Kosovar
resources. We also employed over 600 individual local
subcontractors and at the height of construction were
one of the largest employers in Kosovo. Over 70% of
employees on the project – over 11,000 individuals –
were Kosovars. All of these workers were trained and
managed to the highest international safety and quality standards. Their experience will remain in Kosovo
long after the motorway is complete and enable local
communities to carry out similar work.
EM: What differentiates Bechtel-Enka when bidding
on large scale projects in this region? Who are the
other major international construction players
working here?
Bechtel and Enka worked in partnership with the
Government of Kosovo in order to understand their
fundamental needs. Once we understood their main
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Bechtel and Enka have also built a reputation of working to the highest quality standards whilst not compromising on safety. We work to a Zero Accident philosophy
and believe that given the correct planning
and equipment, every accident is avoidable.
We work with all of our employees every
day to ensure that everyone goes home to
their families in the same condition that they came
to work.
Bechtel is one of the largest construction companies
in the world and hence we hold deep resources of expert engineers available to execute difficult projects.
In addition to Bechtel and Enka’s own resources, our
execution style focuses on hiring and training local
engineers and experts. With local expertise and training, we can operate to international standards whilst
simultaneously building local skills.
EM: What is next for BEJV in the region?
Bechtel and Enka have been awarded the preferred
bidder status for the new Route 6 Motorway from
Pristina to the Macedonian border. This means
that we were ranked in first place with the highest technical score and the most competitive price,
which has been confirmed by the Kosovo government’s Technical Evaluation Committee and Interministerial Committee. Bechtel and Enka are looking forward to continuing to work with the Kosovo
government in building further essential infrastructure over the coming years. Staying in Kosovo also
allows us to apply all the lessons learnt on Route 7
and build on the construction skills, which we have
developed in the country over the last four years.
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