New bridge linking Split and Kaštela to be constructed by Pelješac Bridge company  

(Screenshot/YouTube)

A new bridge which will connect the Croatian city of Split with the nearby suburb of Kaštela is a step closer after Croatian Roads announced the contractor for the construction. 

Construction of a new connecting road at the “Vučevica” interchange on the A1 highway, which links to the DC highway, without an interchange on the DC8, will be undertaken by the company “China Road and Bridge Corporation”, Croatian Roads announced.

According to the information provided by Croatian Roads, the estimated value of the project is around 82.9 million euros, excluding VAT. Out of five bidders, the selected company was the Chinese firm that was also responsible for constructing the Pelješac Bridge, Dalmacija danas reported.

The four other companies which participated in the bidding process have a 10-day period to file any appeals, while there is a 15-day period of inactivity before the contract can be officially signed.

The construction of this connecting road holds great significance for the residents of Split, the surrounding areas, as well as the Dalmatian hinterland. This project is part of the initiative to build a new access (exit) route from the Split Ferry Port.

The project includes the construction of a new road from the Vučevica intersection on the highway, through the Kozjak tunnel and over the two-lane road to Kaštela, then over the aforementioned bridge to Split and finally to its ferry port. 

In addition to the traffic connection of the congested Split agglomeration, the ‘New entrance to Split’ project should bring a twenty-kilometre shorter journey between Split and Zagreb, and finally enable Kaštela to have a direct connection with the highway.

How the future bridge, which will be around 1.5 kilometres long, will look will be known in due course with completion of the entire project not expected before 2027.