Bechtel and its longtime joint venture partner, Enka, have completed the first stretch of the 102-kilometer (63-mile) Kosovo Motorway one year ahead of schedule and within budget.

Kosovar leaders, including Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, President Atifete Jahjaga, and members of Parliament, along with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and U.S. Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Gary Peters (D-MI) joined thousands of Kosovars to celebrate at an opening ceremony.

"This is a story of success. This project is not only the successful achievement of the Kosovan government, it will build our country's infrastructure based on the best international standards and demonstrates the ability of this administration to manage the challenges of such a huge project. But most of all, it is part of the history and success of the Kosovan people, all of these men and women of Kosovo who are putting all their skills and efforts together with Bechtel and Enka to make this dream come true. These first 38 kilometers (24 miles) represent the new reality of a new country, Kosovo," said Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi.

The newly-opened route runs 38 kilometers (24 miles) between Morinë, at the border with Albania, and an area north of Suhareka. Upon completion, the full motorway will extend to the north of Kosovo's capital, Pristina, and will serve as the centerpiece of Kosovo's national transport system, helping to promote trade and economic development in Kosovo and throughout the region.

"We are committed to helping Kosovo build its country and economy: 70 percent of the workforce on the project has been local Kosovans; some 80 local contractors and hundreds of local suppliers have worked on the project," said Mike Adams, president of Bechtel's civil infrastructure unit.

"We would like to thank the Kosovan government for an excellent working relationship, which has helped us to complete the first part of the motorway within budget and a year ahead of schedule."

Construction started on the Kosovo motorway in April 2010. Bechtel and Enka's optimum alignment solution avoided the requirement to build nearly five kilometers (3 miles) of tunnel, resulting in significant cost savings for the government.

Together, Bechtel and Enka have successfully delivered several major infrastructure projects in the region including motorways in Albania, Croatia, and Turkey. Enka Chairman Sinan Tara added,

"We're delighted to be working on such a prestigious project. The motorway will be a key pillar in the development of the transportation infrastructure for Kosovo, providing access to international markets."

The motorway is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project management, and construction companies in the world. Bechtel operates through five global business units that specialize in civil infrastructure; power generation; communications and transmission; mining and metals; oil, gas and chemicals; and government services.

Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 22,000 projects in 140 countries on all seven continents. Today, our 53,000 employees team with customers, partners and suppliers on diverse projects in nearly 50 countries. We stand apart for our ability to get the job done right -- no matter how big, how complex or how remote. www.bechtel.com.

The Bechtel Enka Joint Venture brings an unrivalled depth of experience and knowledge gained from executing complex projects all over the world. Working together as an integrated team, the Bechtel Enka Joint Venture has successfully completed projects across Europe and Asia for several decades.

Bechtel and Enka (www.enka.com) have completed more than 28,000 kilometers (17,000 miles) of highways and roads, 100 tunnels totaling 350 kilometers (217 miles) in length and 25 major bridge projects. This enduring relationship is testimony to our joint commitment to continue the successful delivery of projects.