Work on major new motorway section along Croatian coast begins

Croatia has begun construction of a 5.2-kilometre section of the A7 motorway between Križišće and Jadranovo, part of a wider project aimed at improving road connections along the northern Adriatic coast.

The project, valued at €151.48 million excluding VAT, was officially launched on Friday, 16 October, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković attending the ceremony marking the introduction of contractor GP KRK to the site.

The construction contract provides for a 36-month completion period.

New tunnels and viaducts planned

The Križišće–Jadranovo section will include a twin-tube tunnel at Križišće, two viaducts at the Križišće interchange and two underpasses, at Javornik and the Jadranovo interchange.

The section forms part of the planned A7 motorway extension from Križišće to Žuta Lokva, a major infrastructure project intended to strengthen connections between the northern Adriatic and the rest of Croatia.

Speaking at the ceremony, Butković described the start of construction as a long-awaited milestone for the region.

He said the government, the transport ministry and Croatian Motorways (Hrvatske autoceste) had secured funding for two sections of the wider project, worth a combined €400 million.

Construction on the next section, between Jadranovo and Selce, has also been contracted and is expected to begin in the coming months, subject to the building permit being issued.

Better connections for the Kvarner region

The motorway extension is expected to improve connections between coastal communities, including Kraljevica, Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski and areas towards Senj, while supporting tourism and economic development.

Marko Boras Mandić, president of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Assembly, said the Žuta Lokva motorway had been discussed for more than 25 years and would improve access to services in Rijeka, including healthcare, culture and sport.

Kraljevica Mayor Dalibor Čandrlić also highlighted the importance of transport infrastructure for regional development and connectivity.

Butković said investment would continue across road, rail and port infrastructure.

He pointed to the recently contracted €900 million modernisation project on the Dugo Selo–Novska railway line.

Boris Huzjan, president of the management board of Croatian Motorways, confirmed that GP KRK would carry out the first 5.2 kilometres of the motorway project.

GP KRK management board member Tihomir Ranđelović said the contract would provide the company with full employment for the next three years.

The A7 extension is intended to improve traffic flow and road safety while strengthening transport links across the northern Adriatic region.