Environmental agency approves Jugopetrol plan for second fuel station on Montenegro Bar Boljare motorway

Montenegro's EPA clears Jugopetrol to build a second fuel station on the Bar-Boljare motorway, part of a 22,000 sq m development at the Gornje Mrke rest stop.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 6:59 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Iskra Pavlova

Regulatory clearance for motorway infrastructure

The Montenegro Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially determined that Jugopetrol, the nation’s largest fuel retailer, is exempt from conducting an environmental impact assessment for its latest construction project. This decision pertains to the development of a second fuel station on the Bar-Boljare motorway, specifically at the Gornje Mrke rest stop. While the assessment is waived, the EPA has stipulated that the investor must strictly adhere to all technical standards and environmental measures outlined in the project documentation. The ruling remains subject to a 15 day appeal period following the announcement.

Strategic expansion of the Bar Boljare link

The new facility is part of a long term 25 year land lease contract signed in July between Jugopetrol and the state owned motorway operator, Monteput. The Bar-Boljare motorway is a critical infrastructure project for Montenegro, designed to connect the Adriatic port of Bar in the south with the northern border shared with Serbia. By securing a second site at the Gornje Mrke rest area, Jugopetrol is ensuring that travelers in both directions of the motorway will have access to modern refueling and retail services.

Project scale and facility details

According to project documents submitted to the EPA, the comprehensive fuel station and accompanying rest area will cover a total of 22,000 square meters. This site will include retail outlets and dedicated areas for passenger rest, reflecting a modernized approach to roadside service in the Balkans. This development mirrors a previous agreement signed in 2024 for a sister station on the opposite lane of the same rest stop, which Jugopetrol anticipates will be fully operational by early 2026.