This week, the Government of the Republic of Croatia officially signed a contract for the extension of the third traffic lane on the Zagreb ring road, on the section between the junctions Zagreb Zapad and Lučko. The project is worth 29.6 million euros, and the works will be carried out by a consortium of domestic companies Gip Pionir and Pedom Asfalti.
Year of works
The importance of the operation is best illustrated by the traffic load data presented by the President of the Board of Croatian Motorways, Boris Huzjan. According to him, more than 80,000 vehicles pass through the mentioned section every day, while in the summer months that number increases to 89,000. The expansion of the roadway is a direct response to the need for greater throughput and traffic safety at the entrance to the capital.
Work on the expansion of the ring road between Jankomir and Lučko, with a length of 4.5 kilometers, will last 12 months, and the demolition of the existing bridge and the construction of a new Dubava bridge are planned. The start of the works is planned after the upcoming tourist season, and everything will take place in three shifts without stopping traffic on that section – of course, with the expected changes in traffic regulations and, very likely, increased crowds and traffic jams.
Future investment plans
This project is only part of a wider plan to modernize Zagreb’s traffic ring. As early as next week, work will begin on the reconstruction of the 13-kilometer long section from Bregana to the Zagreb west junction, an investment worth 12.5 million euros. According to announcements from HAC, the goal is to provide a total of 18 kilometers of renovated and expanded highways on key routes around Zagreb within a year.
In addition, the current year brings the completion of works on the Plitvice rest area, which is a project worth 15 million euros, as well as the reconstruction of the Rakitje node, the value of which is estimated at 8.8 million euros. Total investments in the area of the Zagreb ring road during the next year will reach the amount of EUR 65 million.