Freshly Repaired Street in Voska Neighborhood Raises Safety Concerns
A section of newly laid asphalt on “Haxhi Mustafa” Street in the Voska neighborhood of Ohrid has collapsed, causing a large truck to fall into an open sinkhole. The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, especially since the road had been asphalted only one month ago after months of construction work.
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| Pothole on the asphalt road in Ohrid, May 2026 |
Residents Criticize Poor Construction Quality
Citizens living near the damaged road expressed frustration and concern about their safety, claiming that the previous road surface had lasted more than 50 years without major issues.
One resident stated that the asphalt and supporting structures were not built properly:
“The asphalt was not done correctly, and neither was the overall work. They only placed concrete slabs over the asphalt, but even those slabs were poorly made and lacked proper reinforcement. Strong iron support was needed to handle the weight. There is a river flowing underneath here, there’s water everywhere. The previous road lasted 50 to 60 years untouched. We keep complaining, but nothing changes. This asphalt survived only three months.”
Another local resident emphasized that the area requires stronger infrastructure because of underground water and flood risks:
“The road needed to be built properly, otherwise it would never last. This wall has stood here for fifty years because it was constructed correctly. There is water, a riverbed, and frequent flooding in this area.”
Heavy Truck Exposes Structural Weakness
According to witnesses, a heavy red truck triggered the collapse while driving over the road.
A resident explained:
“It was a heavy vehicle, around 20 to 30 tons, and the concrete slabs cracked immediately. Those slabs can barely hold regular cars, let alone a truck. This is shameful. The concrete underneath is only about 10 centimeters thick and has no proper reinforcement. Other sections of the road could collapse as well.”
Residents fear that additional parts of the street may become unstable in the future, creating serious risks for drivers and pedestrians.
Public Outrage and Calls for Responsibility
Many citizens say it is unacceptable for a road that was recently reconstructed to collapse so quickly.
“Someone must take responsibility for this immediately,” another resident declared.
The situation has intensified criticism toward local authorities and the handling of infrastructure projects in Ohrid.
Opposition Party Reacts
The local branch of the LSDM also reacted strongly to the incident, accusing the local government of negligence and incompetence.
In a statement, the party said:
“After more than six months of chaotic and poorly managed construction work on ‘Haxhi Mustafa’ Street, today a truck sank into the middle of the road, exposing the total negligence and incompetence of the local authorities. Instead of a safe and functional road, citizens received chaos, unsafe conditions, and daily problems.”
Key accusations from the opposition:
- Negligence and incompetence by the local government
- Citizens facing unsafe conditions and daily infrastructure problems
Municipality Responds
Officials from the Municipality of Ohrid stated that they will take all measures within their authority regarding the damaged road.
However, municipal representatives also noted that the project was reportedly implemented and coordinated by the Ministry of Transport.
Conclusion
The collapse of the newly asphalted “Haxhi Mustafa” Street has become a symbol of growing public frustration over infrastructure quality and accountability in Ohrid. Residents are now demanding transparent investigations, proper reconstruction, and guarantees that similar incidents will not happen again.