NOVI SAD, Serbia, Oct. 2 -- The Serbian government signed a contract with China Shandong International Economic & Technical Cooperation Group on Wednesday for the construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge in Novi Sad, the country's second-largest city.

The contract was signed at a ceremony attended by Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming, and other officials.

While emphasizing the significance of the project, Prime Minister Vucevic spoke highly of the Serbia-China relations and expressed confidence in the project's timely completion.

Chinese Ambassador Li Ming said, "We hope this project will contribute to a better quality of life for the people of Novi Sad and serve as a new symbol of the friendship between China and Serbia."

According to Serbia's Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic, the construction is expected to take 24 months, with the bridge set to be completed by 2027.

The new bridge, spanning 450 meters in length and 12 meters in width, will include a tunnel connection allowing visitors to reach Petrovaradin Fortress, one of the city's most iconic landmarks, via an elevator, local media reported.