Autocesta

Highways in Croatia

Highways in Croatia

Aspect of transport in Croatia


Highways in Croatia are the main transport network in Croatia. The Croatian classification includes several classes of highways:[1]

Map of the Croatian motorway network in 2022
A6 interchange in Orehovica near Rijeka
Dynamics of the development of the Croatian motorway network: the length of the motorway network in Croatia 1993-2009

Other than the motorway routes, the national road classification includes the following enumerated categories of routes in the national highway system, with decreasing order of priority:[2]

  • State roads, which are marked by letter D (državna cesta) and a single, double or triple digit number.
  • County roads always are marked by letter Ž (županijska cesta) and a four digit number.
  • The lowest classification comprises local roads, marked by letter L (lokalna cesta) and a five digit number.

Road operators differ according to the classification system: The designated motorways are operated by three different concessionaires. The state roads are maintained almost exclusively by Hrvatske ceste, while the county and local roads are managed by various county authorities. The road maintenance agencies are governed by various laws issued by the Parliament as well as bylaws issued by the Ministry of Transport.[1][3]

Motorways

Autoceste are marked with this sign in Croatia

The primary high-speed motorways are called autoceste (Croatian pronunciation: [ˈaʊtotsesta]; singular: autocesta), and they are defined as roads with at least three lanes in each direction (including hard shoulder) and a speed limit of not less than 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). They are marked with a special road sign, similar to the road sign depicting a motorway/autoroute/autobahn in other parts of Europe.[4] The Croatian motorway (autocesta) network is 1,341.1 kilometres (833.3 mi) long.[5]

Motorways in Croatia are defined by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure.[3][6][7] The same applies to names of the motorway interchanges and rest areas.[8]

History

A major reason for the motorway construction "mania" of the 2000s is a previous political halt of the major Croatian highway project, today's A1, in the 1970s and 1980s under former Yugoslavia. When Croatia declared independence in 1991, the only true motorways in the country were RijekaKikovica (the westernmost part of today's A6), ZagrebKarlovac (the northernmost part of today's A1) and ZagrebSlavonski Brod (the central part of today's A3), the latter being part of the Brotherhood and Unity Highway. The dream to connect the two largest Croatian cities Zagreb and Split with a motorway (autocesta) went back to the times of the Croatian Spring. However, the construction of this project had not happened during Yugoslav period.

A7 motorway, Croatian motorway network was largely built in the 2000s

In 2005, the Zagreb–Split route was constructed. In addition, the A1 was extended towards Dubrovnik (currently at Ploče), and the A3 was extended so it connects Zagreb to Croatian borders with both Serbia (near Lipovac) and Slovenia (near Bregana). There is also a motorway from Zagreb to Rijeka, the A6, as well as the A4 motorway from Zagreb to the northeast (Hungarian border) as well as the A2 motorway from Zagreb to the northwest (Slovenian border). The A9 between Pula and the Slovenian border is also largely completed.

The construction of additional motorways has noticeably slowed in the 2010s, but it continues. As of 2021, the CerovljeRijeka section of A8, the remaining part of the Istrian Y, is being upgraded from semi-highway status.[9] The other motorways are in various early stages of development, coming up to a total of 11 motorway routes. The A1 is considered unfinished as it is planned to be extended from Ploče to Dubrovnik.[10]

Operators

The network is managed by 3 operators, of which one is under full government control and other two are operated by joint ventures.[5]

More information Operator, Ownership ...

Motorways and sections

List of motorways

More information Motorway, Route ...

Motorway sections under construction

More information Motorway, County ...

Planned motorway sections

More information Motorway, County ...

Traffic cost revenue

In 2022, the network had a traffic of 80,172,262 vehicles, including 70,344,584 light vehicles and 9,827,678 heavy vehicles (difference by axle height).[5]

The travel cost is 9.00 euros per 100 km for light vehicles in closed system and 6.00 euros in open toll system, while for heavy ones are 39.00 euros per 100 km in closed system and 21.00 in open system.[5]

Those costs generate a revenue of 426.5 millions of euros (without VAT) in 2022.[5]

Accidents

Two third of motorway fatalities (67%) occurred in the third of the year between July and October.[25][26]

Expressways

Roads designated exclusively for motor vehicles are marked with this sign in Croatia

There is a wide variety of types of expressways in Croatia, in terms of number of lanes, accessibility and types of intersections comprised. They range from four lane expressways with grade-separated intersections and limited access - distinguished from the motorways by lack of emergency lanes only - to four or six lane urban expressways with numerous at-grade intersections and traffic lights or two lane limited access roads with grade separated intersections. The expressways include both incomplete motorways, built in stages,[8] and some state roads (with either limited access, more than two traffic lanes, grade-separated intersections or any combination thereof). There are even some instances of county roads which may be regarded expressways such as Jadranska Avenue (Ž1040).

As a rule, the expressways are not tolled; however, major tunnels on the expressways are tolled.

List of completed expressways

More information Number, Control cities (or other appropriate route description) ...

State roads

State roads are defined by legislation[2] as important routes for road traffic between various parts of the country. Classification of a road as a state road does not describe actual conditions of the road itself.

State roads in Croatia are assigned one, two or three digit numbers which generally comply with the following pattern[36] (although there are some exceptions to the rules):

  • 1-19 are assigned to trunk roads, normally of considerable length, spanning between borders of various neighboring countries. An obvious exception to this is the D9 state road; however, it spans from Bosnia and Herzegovina border and the Adriatic Sea, along the southernmost portion of Pan-European Corridor Vc.
  • 20-99 are assigned to arterial roads on the mainland.
  • 100s are assigned to island roads
  • 200s are assigned to border crossing access roads.
  • 300s are assigned to junction roads, connecting towns or cities (but not other state roads) to motorways or other major roads. Notable exceptions to this are D307 and D310 state roads, although the D307 originally did not connect to the D29, but only to the A2 motorway.
  • 400s are assigned to mainland port and airport access roads.
  • 500s are assigned to connecting roads, connecting two different state roads. Notable exceptions to this rule are the D503 which connects to a port and the D516 which connects to a border crossing checkpoint.
  • 600s are provisional designations. For example, the road containing Pelješac bridge, from Komarna (D8) to Ston (D416), was designated as D674.[37]

At the moment the state roads in Croatia have a combined length of 6,867.7 kilometres (4,267.4 mi).

D1 - D14

More information Number, Control cities (or other appropriate route description) ...

D20 - D77

More information Number, Control cities (or other appropriate route description) ...

D100 - D128

More information Number, Control cities (or other appropriate route description) ...

Tolls

In the Republic of Croatia, primarily a closed toll system is applied to the entire motorway network tolls with multiple entrances and exits. The use of motorways is charged by mileage and vehicle category. At the entrance on the motorway, the user picks up the entrance card (or a record recorded on the ENC device) and the payment is made on exit toll stations according to the length of the trip. The open system is in use at toll stations Bregana(A3) and Rupa(A7).[5]

Safety

Croatia had 70 road deaths per million inhabitants estimated in 2022.[5]

See also

Maps

  1. Overview map of the A1 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  2. Overview map of the A2 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  3. Overview map of the A3 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  4. Overview map of the A4 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  5. Overview map of the A5 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  6. Overview map of the A6 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  7. Overview map of the A7 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  8. Overview map of the A8 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  9. Overview map of the A9 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  10. Overview map of the A10 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  11. Overview map of the A11 (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved December 14, 2012.

References

  1. Croatian Parliament (2004-12-18). "Zakon o javnim cestama (Public Roads Act)". Narodne novine (in Croatian). Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  2. "Odluka o razvrstavanju javnih cesta" [Decision on categorization of public roads]. Narodne novine (in Croatian) (17/2020). January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  3. Croatian Parliament (2008-06-09). "Zakon o sigurnosti prometa na cestama" (in Croatian). Narodne novine 2008-67. čl. 2, t. 1, st. 3. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  4. Huzjan, Boris; Bajić, Brankica (May 2023). "Nacionalno izvješće o autocestama 2022" [National Highways Report 2022] (PDF) (in Croatian). HUKA. ISSN 1848-0233. Retrieved 17 June 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. "Odluka o razvrstavanju javnih cesta u autoceste" [Decision on classification of public roads as motorways]. Narodne Novine (in Croatian). July 25, 2007. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
  6. "Odluka o izmjenama i dopunama odluke o razvrstavanju javnih cesta u autoceste" [Decision on amendments and additions to the Decision on classification of public roads as motorways]. Narodne Novine (in Croatian). January 30, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
  7. "Regulation on motorway markings, chainage, interchange/exit/rest area numbers and names". Narodne novine (in Croatian). April 24, 2003. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  8. Kalčić, Jasminka (4 March 2021). "Uskoro će biti završen puni profil Istarskoga ipsilona". HRT Vijesti (in Croatian). Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  9. Bohutinski, Josip (26 October 2020). "Autocesta do Dubrovnika bit će najskuplja u Hrvatskoj: Kilometar će koštati čak 193 milijuna kn" [The highway to Dubrovnik will be the most expensive in Croatia: A kilometer will cost as much as HRK 193 million]. Večernji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  10. Mihić, Franc (31 August 2023). "Potpisan ugovor za izgradnju zadnje dionice koridora VC: Rok izgradnje 18 mjeseci!" [Signed contract for the construction of the last section of the VC corridor: Construction period 18 months!]. Osijek Express (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  11. Getto, Ivica (14 November 2023). "Do travnja 2025. završetak gradnje spoja s Mađarskom" [By April 2025, completion of the construction of the connection with Hungary]. Glas Slavonije (in Croatian). Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  12. Deranja, Franjo (11 September 2021). "Projekt obilaznice Novog Vinodolskog će riješiti ljetne prometne zastoje: Evo planova i rokova gradnje" [The Novi Vinodolski bypass project will solve summer traffic jams: Here are the plans and deadlines for construction]. Novi List (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  13. Glavan, Marinko (18 September 2023). "FOTO/VIDEO Probijena druga cijev tunela Učka! U prometu će biti do idućeg ljeta, počela izgradnja dionice do Matulja" [PHOTO/VIDEO The second tube of the Učka tunnel has been breached! It will be in traffic until next summer, the construction of the section to Matulji has begun]. Novi List (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  14. Glavan, Marinko (16 February 2024). "Počela izgradnja punog profila autoceste od tunela Učka prema Matuljima" [The construction of the full profile of the highway from the Učka tunnel to Matulji has begun]. Novi List (in Croatian). Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  15. "Gradi se skoro 20 godina: Do 2024. dovršit će se autocesta do Siska" [It has been under construction for almost 20 years: By 2024, the highway to Sisak will be completed]. tportal.hr (in Croatian). 11 February 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  16. Tuković, Jakov (19 March 2024). "Pogledajte kako izgleda gradilište zaobilaznice Novog Vinodolskog i zahtjevno probijanje tunela" [See what the Novi Vinodolski bypass construction site looks like and the demanding tunneling]. bauštela.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  17. Pušić, Mario (27 November 2022). "Odzvonilo gužvama? Kreće projekt gradnje trećeg kraka autoceste Karlovac-Zagreb!" [The bell rang traffic jams? The construction project of the third section of the Karlovac-Zagreb highway is starting!]. Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  18. Žabec, Krešimir (4 January 2021). "Gradit će je dvije godine: Dionica autoceste od 3,7 kilometara koštat će čak 70 milijuna eura" [It will take two years to build: The 3.7-kilometer section of the motorway will cost as much as 70m euros]. Jutarnju list (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  19. Bohutinski, Josip (16 September 2021). "Gradit će se treći trak na zagrebačkoj obilaznici vrijedan 800 milijuna kuna" [The third lane will be built on the Zagreb bypass worth 800 million kuna]. Večernji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  20. "Odbijena žalba na natječaj za gradnju novljanske obilaznice" [The appeal against the tender for the construction of the Novi bypass was rejected]. točkanai.hr (in Croatian). 25 June 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  21. Ravlić, Anto (3 January 2024). "HAC raspisao natječaj: traži se izvođač za dionicu Križišće – Selce" [HAC has announced a tender: a contractor is wanted for the section Križišće - Selce]. Tunera (in Croatian). Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  22. "Izrada projektne dokumentacije i provedba upravnog postupka do lokacijske dozvole za autocestu A7, dionica Senj - Žuta Lokva" [Creation of project documentation and implementation of the administrative procedure for the location permit for the A7 highway, section Senj - Žuta Lokva]. Hrvatske Autoceste (in Croatian). Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  23. in 2015 or latest available year
  24. "Facts and Figures – Motorways - 2021" (PDF). October 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  25. "Southern bypass opens". portal Osijek031 (in Croatian). November 5, 2015.
  26. "Minister Oleg Butković opened expressway Gradec - Križevci". hac.hr (in Croatian). Hrvatske autoceste. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  27. "Expressway between Vrbovec and Farkaševac is open". HRT Vijesti. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  28. "Kalmeta officially opens Zadar 2 - Gaženica four lane expressway". eZadar (in Croatian). November 6, 2007. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  29. Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia) (21 April 2015). "Pravilnik o sadržaju, ustroju i načinu vođenja baze podataka o javnim cestama i objektima na njima". narodne-novine.nn.hr (in Croatian). 4.2 Evidencijske oznake državnih cesta.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)

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