HC claims that for traffic safety reasons they cannot allow the use of at least one lane of the road, which would significantly shorten travel between Zagreb and Virovitica, Bjelovar, Križevci, and Koprivnica.
Since mid-last year, approximately 20 kilometers of expressway connecting Zagreb with Virovitica, Bjelovar, Križevci, and Koprivnica has been unusable. At that time, Hrvatske ceste closed traffic at the expressway exit in Cugovec at the request of Hrvatskih autocesta, redirecting all traffic to the road through Vrbovec, where traffic jams occur. The new exit/entrance to the expressway two kilometers further at Gradec has not yet been put into operation, which is why the already constructed 20 kilometers of expressway cannot be used.
Entrepreneurs we spoke with believe that at this stage of completing the expressway towards Križevci, it could be possible to allow the use of at least one lane for entry and exit in Cugovec, with a speed limit, which would significantly shorten travel time and relieve traffic in Vrbovec.
From Hrvatske ceste, led by Jurica Krleža, they respond that such solutions are avoided for traffic safety reasons, so ‘it is not possible to obtain a usage permit for such a traffic regime’, but they also add that they will consider such an option if they receive all necessary approvals after the completion of equipping works (barriers and lighting) at the Gradec junction.
Drivers will, unfortunately, have to be patient until spring because, as stated by Hrvatske ceste, the new exit at the Gradec junction is planned to be opened to traffic after obtaining usage permits for the entire section to Križevci. Of course, if luck is on their side. Namely, these works should have already been completed, but HC states that they have been delayed due to documentation alignment (changing the profile from a highway to an expressway) and the pace of multiple contractors with HŽ (the railway crossing Gradec – Sv. Ivan Žabno) and with HC. One of the most important reasons is likely that many contractors are in various stages of pre-bankruptcy settlement.
HC also states that in April or May, the road to Križevci (on the traffic lane towards Koprivnica) will be opened to traffic, and in the fall to Farkaševac (on the traffic lane towards Bjelovar and Virovitica).
As one entrepreneur says, due to these delays, the costs in terms of time and money for companies are significantly higher than those from other parts of Croatia, which makes them less competitive, hence they appeal for the works to be expedited or for a temporary solution to be found.
HC claims that for traffic safety reasons they cannot allow the use of at least one lane of the road, which would significantly shorten travel between Zagreb and Virovitica, Bjelovar, Križevci, and Koprivnica.
Since mid-last year, approximately 20 kilometers of expressway connecting Zagreb with Virovitica, Bjelovar, Križevci, and Koprivnica has been unusable. At that time, Hrvatske ceste closed traffic at the expressway exit in Cugovec at the request of Hrvatskih autocesta, redirecting all traffic to the road through Vrbovec, where traffic jams occur. The new exit/entrance to the expressway two kilometers further at Gradec has not yet been put into operation, which is why the already constructed 20 kilometers of expressway cannot be used.
Entrepreneurs we spoke with believe that at this stage of completing the expressway towards Križevci, it could be possible to allow the use of at least one lane for entry and exit in Cugovec, with a speed limit, which would significantly shorten travel time and relieve traffic in Vrbovec.
From Hrvatske ceste, led by Jurica Krleža, they respond that such solutions are avoided for traffic safety reasons, so ‘it is not possible to obtain a usage permit for such a traffic regime’, but they also add that they will consider such an option if they receive all necessary approvals after the completion of equipping works (barriers and lighting) at the Gradec junction.
Drivers will, unfortunately, have to be patient until spring because, as stated by Hrvatske ceste, the new exit at the Gradec junction is planned to be opened to traffic after obtaining usage permits for the entire section to Križevci. Of course, if luck is on their side. Namely, these works should have already been completed, but HC states that they have been delayed due to documentation alignment (changing the profile from a highway to an expressway) and the pace of multiple contractors with HŽ (the railway crossing Gradec – Sv. Ivan Žabno) and with HC. One of the most important reasons is likely that many contractors are in various stages of pre-bankruptcy settlement.
HC also states that in April or May, the road to Križevci (on the traffic lane towards Koprivnica) will be opened to traffic, and in the fall to Farkaševac (on the traffic lane towards Bjelovar and Virovitica).
As one entrepreneur says, due to these delays, the costs in terms of time and money for companies are significantly higher than those from other parts of Croatia, which makes them less competitive, hence they appeal for the works to be expedited or for a temporary solution to be found.
