The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UoM) has prepared and made available to local self-governments a comprehensive Model Decision on the Categorization, Marking and Classification of Municipal and Uncategorized Roads — a document intended to serve as the basis for the uniform and lawful regulation of the local road network throughout Montenegro. The model has been drafted in accordance with the Law on Roads and follows modern practices in transport infrastructure management. Its implementation is expected to contribute to greater safety, improved record-keeping, and more efficient monitoring and maintenance of roads at the local level.
According to the Model, local self-governments are provided with a clear structure for the classification of roads. Roads are divided into two main categories: municipal roads, which include local roads and streets in settlements, and uncategorized roads intended for public use. In this way, a unified system is introduced that distinguishes road routes according to their purpose, significance, and function within the transport network.
The document also prescribes precise criteria for determining road categories. The primary criteria relate to the social, economic, cultural, tourist, and historical importance of a road, while the secondary criteria include traffic volume, connectivity with other road routes and municipalities, as well as links to larger settlements and facilities of public interest. This approach ensures that categorization is not merely a formal decision, but rather the result of an analysis of the actual function of the road and its importance for the community.
A specific procedure for reclassification has also been defined, including the conditions under which an uncategorized road may be classified as a local road. It is stipulated that such a road must meet minimum technical standards — particularly regarding roadway width and overall technical condition. Supporting documentation must also be provided, including a road study and proof that property and legal issues have been resolved. Only after all criteria have been fulfilled can the road be included in the municipal road network. The aim of this approach is to avoid disputes concerning ownership and responsibility, while also ensuring that only road routes meeting minimum safety standards are incorporated into the road network.
The Model also introduces precise rules for road marking. Each road is assigned a designation that clearly defines its category — ‘L’ for local roads, ‘U’ for streets in settlements, and ‘N’ for uncategorized road routes. In addition to the designation, the tables should also include the length of the road, which will enable users to navigate more easily while also providing local self-governments with a tool for more transparent infrastructure planning and management.
One of the most significant segments of the Model is the obligation to maintain systematic records. According to this Model, each municipality should register all municipal and uncategorized roads in both electronic and paper form. The records must contain all key data, including the name and route of the road, the type of roadway surface, its length, the date of categorization, as well as all subsequent amendments. This instrument is intended to become the basis for the long-term planning, maintenance, and financing of road infrastructure, particularly in the context of budget planning and project preparation.
When a road is reclassified as a local road, the municipality assumes full responsibility for its maintenance. This includes regular, routine, and investment maintenance, thereby clearly defining the financial obligations of the local authority. Such a provision contributes to transparency and prevents situations in which responsibility for a particular road route is unclear.
The Model Decision has been prepared as a practical tool that can help municipalities save time, reduce the risk of legal uncertainties, and contribute to higher-quality infrastructure management. Local self-governments have been given the flexibility to adapt the document to the specific characteristics of their areas, while at the same time contributing, through the application of common standards, to the overall improvement of the road network in Montenegro.
The Union of Municipalities calls on all municipalities to use the Model Decision as a reference framework. As emphasized, the adoption and consistent implementation of the model could represent one of the key steps toward more modern, safer, and more efficient management of local roads in the country.
