PM: Rijeka - Zagreb Freeway Fulfils 38 Year Dream

The last sections to be completed are from Ostrovica to Vrata (11km) and from Kujak to Vrbovsko (3km).

The president of the Croatian Cabinet Ivo Sanader left the discussion in parliament about confidence in his Cabinet, in order to attend the opening of the full profile freeway Rijeka-Zagreb at the south side of the Tuhobic tunnel.

“We waited 38 years for the freeway from Rijeka to Zagreb, and the political force that will have the strength and money to solve the problem” said premier Sanader. He declared the full profile freeway open and added that he sees today that serving the people through politics has sense.

Premier Sanader said that today a dream of Croatian people has been fulfilled that could not be achieved during Yugoslavia.

“Croatia was not a priority at the time, and could not lead sovereign politics but that which Belgrade dictated” said Sanader. He stressed that the road connections is an assumption for the total growth of economic activities and life in general.

Journalists first to drive on the freeway

The last sections of freeway to be completed were an 11 kilometre section from Ostrovica to Vrata and a three kilometre section from Kupjak to Vrbovsko.

The Rijeka – Zagreb freeway was under construction for 38 years, and its price was 661.5 million euros.

The 146 kilometre trip from Rijeka to Zagreb, with an average travelling speed, will be complete in one hour and 15 minutes, and will cost 60 kuna.

To complete the freeway, six bridges, 13 tunnels, 24 viaducts and 15 accompanying buildings were constructed.

The construction on the last two sections of freeway were completed on Monday, when the first people to drive on the full profile freeway were journalists.