The bridge between "Ljubljanska" and "Skupi" streets in Skopje is entering the final phase of construction. Mayor Orce Đorđievski has said as much several times over recent months, as the builders have been getting the necessary clearances from the Heritage Protection Institute - because the bridge passes alongside the Skupi archaeological site.

What does "final phase" mean? In construction-speak, it means the preliminary works are done, the main structure is in place, and now it's the finishing layer that's being laid. Which means: the bridge should be in service for residents within a few months.

Soon. That word has a particular weight in Skopje. This bridge has been on the plans for years. It's been promised for decades. And every construction season ended with "next year for sure". Now, finally, the promise seems to be becoming concrete.

The logic of the bridge is clear. Northern and western Skopje today have poor connectivity to the rest of the city. Ljubljanska street runs from Karpoš toward the centre, but the bus has to go the long way round. Skupi street is strategic - but without the bridge, its function and Ljubljanska's stay disconnected. The bridge joins those two streets.

The cooperation between the City of Skopje and Karpoš municipality looks well coordinated this time. Sotir Lukrovski, head of Karpoš, called it "a significant infrastructure project for that part of the city". Every politician says that at a ribbon-cutting. The question is whether it will still be working in five years, not only on opening day.

In the Balkans this is a story with a clear moral-economic lesson. Bridges really are built across decades. With plenty of delays. With even more promises. And in the end, when they open, they're treated like miracles. The bridge between Ljubljanska and Skupi is a routine infrastructure project. Which means that in this city those things move slowly.