The EBRD has provided a loan of 40 million EUR toward rehabilitation of three road sections, Rozaje-Spiljani, Tivat-Jaz and Danilovgrad-Podgorica. Since, there is a growing awareness among road infrastructure stakeholders of the impact of climate change on road network, the aim of the project was therefore not only to supervise the implementation of the above-mentioned rehabilitation measures, but also to advise on introducing climate resilience elements in project planning and designs. In addition, the goal was to establish an institutional framework in Montenegro for including climate resilience elements in all future projects (as well as existing road sections), to ensure that planning is based on predictive data, taking into account the evolving climate during the entire lifecycle of road assets and to increase the understanding that the total cost of ownership including costs of repair during the entire lifecycle accounting for climate change and events should be considered in infrastructure planning. The international climate change adaptation framework for road infrastructure prepared by the World Road Association (PIARC) was selected as the conceptual basis for this assignment.
Description of actual services provided by the staff within the assignment:
- We conducted initial institutional mapping, effectively establishing a task force (named working group) which has been directly participating at this project and serves as a basis for future collaborations
- We conducted several trainings with key stakeholders, highlighting the to-be state and defining the institutional competences and the main responsibilities of the key/non-key working group members
- We prepared the terms of reference for the working group
- We assessed and reviewed the 3 road designs (Rozaje-Spiljani, Tivat-Jaz and Danilovgrad-Podgorica)
- We conducted a gap analysis, collecting and analysing the available data and documentation on the current and predicted climate situation. outlining needed future development and implementation measures to be taken with the aim to increase data coverage and availability
- We created a cost-benefit analysis for assessing the return on investment of climate resilience measures in road sector
- We led the pilot climate impact assessment of 52 road sections in Montenegro according to the PIARC framework for assessing vulnerability and climate risk, resulting in an overview of the current state of road infrastructure readiness to climate change and climate impacts
- We developed the climate change strategy and adaptation plan
- We also prepared awareness raising materials (brochure), highlighting the benefits of implementing climate resilience measures in road sector
- We developed a website and a portal for swift collaboration between key stakeholders and institutions, effectively creating an online space for knowledge sharing, road data presentation, collaboration and awareness raising
Client Statement:
“The SWECO and Aspiro collaboration has proven to be very efficient from the beginning of the project, until successful completion. Both firms have taken a very professional approach, preparing a sound plan and maximizing the efficiency of the working group to accomplish the plan with enough flexibility and responsiveness for the project to be finalized prior to the initially defined deadline. Particularly due to the team’s dedication to achieve the overall objective of the assignment and their ability to work under changing conditions, we have successfully completed the given activities and contributed to increasing the climate resilience of road infrastructure in Montenegro. I look forward to working with SWECO and Aspiro teams again in the future”