June the 20th, 2021 - Peljesac bridge is a strategic project not only for Croatia but for the European Union, as both Croatian territory and the territory of the EU are set to finally be connected, avoiding a border with a third country (Bosnia and Herzegovina) when entering or leaving the extreme south of Dalmatia.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Suzana Varosanec writes, the situation is very good down at the Peljesac bridge construction site. The final shipment of steel structures arrived at the construction site recently and Croatian territory will finally be connected by the end of August, announced the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butkovic.
According to Butkovic, despite the problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we're now "at the peak of the entire project", and after the millennial act of merging Croatian territory, the focus should be placed on preparing the pavement and asphalting, which is still going well.
An insight into the pace of the field work itself shows that the remaining phases of the project, which regards the road connection with southern Dalmatia, are also going well. On the section (for which the contractor is the Austrian Strabag) there have been no delays and the works are expected to be completed in mid-July, while on the other hand in the third and fourth phases of the works (performed by the Greek AVAX) although there were a few delays at the beginning, things have now been caught up with.
As Butkovic pointed out, the works on the tunnels are currenrtly in question, and all of the steel construction for the Prapratno viaduct and the Ston bridge is being completely made in Brodosplit. As early as next week they will head down to the construction site for their installation, so the situation is also more than favourable in that regard, too.
"The most important thing is Croatian territory finally being connected, and how the bridge will be completed by this time next year and we'll be able to put it into operation," the minister stressed.
For more, follow our dedicated lifestyle section.
