Five Months in Dust: Reconstruction of Transit Road in Aranđelovac Sees No End in Sight

Residents of Aranđelovac, Serbia, are enduring five months of disruption as the reconstruction of a key transit road remains unfinished. The project, which began in March, has created constant dust, noise, and traffic congestion, severely affecting the daily lives of those living and working along Kneza Mihaila Street. What was presented as a major infrastructure project during the election campaign has stalled after initial rough work, leaving citizens choking on dust and struggling with obstructed movement. Many residents keep their windows closed during the day to mitigate the dust and noise, with some reporting eye infections and others avoiding the street altogether. The situation is particularly difficult for local businesses, whose storefronts are impacted by the ongoing construction. Adding to the frustration, the project's timeline is unclear. Work was reportedly paused due to issues with the rainwater drainage system, which required additional project documentation. However, there is no official information from the Aranđelovac municipality regarding the completion of this documentation or the resumption of work. Opposition council members have stated they have received no answers from the municipality or from Putevi Srbije (Roads of Serbia) regarding the project's financing or timeline, leading them to believe the work is proceeding without a proper plan or deadline. While a water truck occasionally sprays the street, residents say it offers little relief as the dust quickly settles again on the hot asphalt.

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I have an obstructive lung disease, I know neighbors who had eye infections when all this started. We no longer sit in the yard because it's impossible. In the evening, we did a test with a lamp, and there were clouds of dust that perhaps we are not even aware of. It's inconvenient to dry laundry outside.