M3 Toll Road in Petrovets — Online Webcam Traffic

The toll plaza on the M3 motorway in Petrovets is one of the key checkpoints on the exit from Skopje in the northern direction. The webcam online broadcasts the real traffic situation at the toll booths: vehicle flow, lane congestion, and weather conditions on the highway. For drivers planning a route between the capital and the northern regions of North Macedonia, this stream serves as a convenient tool for assessing traffic before departure.

M3 Highway — Transport Artery of North Macedonia

The A4 motorway, previously designated as M3, is a strategic highway connecting Skopje with Petrovets and further to the borders with Kosovo and Serbia. The road is part of the transport Corridor 10, providing transit communication between Central and Southeastern Europe. The Petrovets toll plaza is located east of Skopje, in close proximity to the capital's international airport, making this section critical for both transit and local traffic.

The highway serves an intense flow of vehicles: cars, trucks, and buses pass through the toll station heading towards the northern cities of the country. The geographical location of Petrovets — on the border between the flat part of the Skopje Valley and the foothills — has determined the straight direction of the highway with minimal elevation changes.

Infrastructure of the Petrovets Toll Plaza

The toll station on the M3 is equipped with several toll booths for payment. A long canopy is erected above them, under which information boards and road signs are placed, informing drivers about tariffs and traffic rules. The asphalt surface of the toll plaza is marked with arrows and dividing lines, directing traffic flows to the corresponding lanes.

Construction History and Chronic Traffic Jams

The toll plaza on the Petrovets motorway was put into operation using temporary solutions — metal pipes and concrete blocks instead of stationary structures. One of the highest toll rates in the country is charged for passage on this section — 40 denars (about 0.65 euros) for passenger cars.

The situation was exacerbated by a large-scale reconstruction of the Petrovets-Katlanovo section, 5 km long, which dragged on for more than 2.5 years starting in 2018. The lack of proper mechanization and workforce led to chronic congestion on the approaches to the toll plaza. During peak periods, drivers queue for toll payment for up to 30–40 minutes.

Electronic Toll Collection System

To speed up passage and reduce queues on the M3 motorway in Petrovets, an electronic toll collection system (e-tolling) has been introduced. The project was implemented as part of an agreement to build an electronic toll collection system along Corridor VIII. The system allows drivers to pay for passage without stopping at the toll booth, using a special onboard device, which significantly relieves traffic during peak hours.

Nevertheless, during the transition period, not all vehicles are equipped with electronic transponders, so traditional toll booths continue to operate in parallel with electronic lanes.

Landscape and Surroundings of Petrovets

The municipality of Petrovets is located in the eastern part of Skopje, where the terrain transitions from plain to hilly areas. The M3 highway runs through the flat terrain of Škopska Crna Gora, predominantly covered with agricultural land. Vineyards and orchards predominate in the surroundings of Petrovets — typical for the subtropical and temperate zones of North Macedonia.

The surveillance camera offers a view of the hilly landscape with dense vegetation in the distance. The flat nature of the terrain provides good visibility on the approaches to the toll plaza, allowing drivers to assess the situation in advance and choose a less congested booth.

Traffic Intensity and Seasonal Fluctuations

The Petrovets toll plaza experiences significant traffic fluctuations throughout the day and by day of the week. Morning and evening rush hours are characterized by maximum loading of toll booths, especially on weekdays when residents of surrounding settlements commute en masse to work in Skopje and back.

During the summer period and holidays, intensity increases due to transit traffic heading to resort areas and across the border. During such periods, queues for toll payment reach maximum values, and the webcam online allows you to assess the road situation in advance, choosing the optimal time for a trip or an alternative route.

What is visible on the camera

The webcam broadcast covers the toll station on the M3 highway in Petrovets with several toll booths for payment. In the frame are vehicles passing through the lanes, road markings with arrows and dividing lines on the asphalt. Above the booths, a long canopy with information boards and signs is visible. In the background is a hilly landscape with vegetation, characteristic of the surroundings of Petrovets. In the lower right corner of the image is a text label with the name of the station and the current date and time.