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Traffic Infrastructure Print E-mail
Geo-strategically speaking, Herzegovina is at a crossroad of two main communication routs of regional, national, international (B&H-the Republic of Croatia) and European character, which determines its present as well as its future position in this part of Europe. Both traffic routs are of equal importance, but the north-south transversal is given more priority. As a link between sea and mainland this rout, which runs through the Neretva valley, is the end of European communication vertical known as Corridor V-c (Baltic-Adriatic). The second communication axis, the Ionian direction, stretches along Adriatic coast and connects Europe through Balkans with the Near East.

The road network connects the region with neighbouring states, the Republic of Croatia and Monte Negro, and the rest of Europe. The rail network connects Mostar to Sarajevo and the port Ploče on the Adriatic coast in Croatia. This port is build specifically to accommodate the needs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and presents a natural transport entrance and exit to the state and the region itself.

The only railway line in the region runs along the Neretva valley and its entire stretch is in Herzegovina-Neretva canton. It was built as a narrow-gauge line during the Austro-Hungarian rule at the end of 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Having been modernized in 1966, it became a standard-gauge line (European standard) and it was entirely electrified all the way to Sarajevo. Through Sarajevo and the junction in Doboj it is connected to the European railway network. This railway line can connect the region through Sarajevo to the west (via Zagreb) and to the east (via Belgrade).

The air traffic functions through the only regional airport in Mostar located in the south Mostar basin in the settlement of Ortiješ, which is only 6 km away from Mostar and 30km away from Međugorje. The airport is licensed for international air-traffic.