Highways in Croatia

The road sign informing the motorists they are travelling on an autocesta

Highways in Croatia are the main transport network in Croatia. The primary high-speed motorways are called autoceste (Croatian pronunciation: [ˈaʊtotsesta]; singular: autocesta), and they are defined as roads with at least three lanes in each direction (including hard shoulder) and a speed limit of not less than 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). They are marked with a special road sign, similar to the road sign depicting an motorway/autoroute/autobahn in other parts of Europe.[1] In Croatia this sign has green background.

The term autocesta is often translated by Croatians simply as highway, which can be confusing because a highway can be any main road, and the terms motorway (British English) and freeway (American English) would be more precise.

Map of the Croatian motorway network

The national speed limit on an autocesta, effective in case no other speed limits are present, is 130 kilometres per hour (81 mph), with a legal tolerance of 10% on speeds over 100 km/h (as of 2009).

Contents

Highway classification

Roads designated for motor vehicles are marked with this kind of a sign in Croatia

The Croatian classification includes several classes of highways:[2]

Other than these, the national road classification includes the following categories which may also be referred to as highways in a general sense, with decreasing order of priority (and applicability of the term highway):

The maintenance agencies also differ according to the classification - the designated motorways are maintained by Hrvatske Autoceste (Croatian Motorways Ltd) and other concessionaires, the designated state roads are maintained by Hrvatske ceste (HC), while the county and local roads are managed by various county authorities. The road maintenance agencies are governed by various laws issued by the Parliament as well as bylaws issued by the Ministry of Transport.[2][3]

List of motorways

A6 interchange in Orehovica near Rijeka
Dynamics of the development of the Croatian motorway network: the length of the motorway network in Croatia 1993-2009

Motorways in Croatia are defined by the Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure.[4] The same applies to names of the motorway interchanges and rest areas.[5] Likewise, the same legislation defines the origin of motorway chainages - at the northern or the western terminus of the motorway - and the motorway markings themselves. The markings are defined as consisting of letter "A" and the motorway number assigned by the legislation, except if a specific motorway is executed in construction stages and considered an expressway, in which case the applicable motorway number is preceded by letter "B" instead.

Generally, the motorways in Croatia are developed and maintained by Hrvatske Autoceste (Croatian Motorways Ltd). There are several exceptions to this, namely Zagreb (Lučko) - Bosiljevo 2 section of the A1 motorway, the A6 and the A7 motorways which are managed by Autocesta Rijeka - Zagreb (Rijeka - Zagreb Motorway), the A2 motorway, managed by Autocesta Zagreb - Macelj (Zagreb - Macelj Motorway) and the A8 and the A9 motorways which are managed by BINA Istra.

Completed motorways

Number Control cities (or other appropriate route description)
Autocesta A1.svg A1 Zagreb (A3) - Karlovac - Karlovac - Bosiljevo (A6) - Split - Ravča
Autocesta A2.svg A2 Zagreb (A3) - Krapina - Macelj
Autocesta A3.svg A3 Bregana - Zagreb (A1, A2, A4) - Slavonski Brod - Sredanci (A5) - Županja - Lipovac
Autocesta A4.svg A4 Zagreb (A3) - Varaždin - Goričan
Autocesta A5.svg A5 Sredanci (A3) - Đakovo - Osijek
Autocesta A6.svg A6 Bosiljevo (A1) - Rijeka (A7)
Autocesta A7.svg A7 Rupa - Rijeka (A6) - Sveti Kuzam
Autocesta A9.svg A9 Pula - Kanfanar (A8)
Autocesta A11.svg A11 Velika Gorica - Buševec

Motorway sections under construction

Number Control cities (or other appropriate route description)
Autocesta A1.svg A1 Ravča - Vrgorac - Ploče
Autocesta A7.svg A7 Sveti Kuzam - Križišće
Autocesta A8.svg A9 Rogovići - Kanfanar (A9) (expressway upgrade)
Autocesta A9.svg A9 Umag - Kanfanar (A8) (expressway upgrade)
Autocesta A11.svg A11 Jakuševec interchange (A3) - Velika Gorica

Planned motorway sections

Number Control cities (or other appropriate route description)
Autocesta A1.svg A1 Ploče - Doli - Dubrovnik
Autocesta A5.svg A5 Osijek - Beli Manastir - border crossing to Hungary and Sredanci - border crossing to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Autocesta A7.svg A7 Križišće - Crikvenica - Novi Vinodolski - Senj - Žuta Lokva (A1)
Autocesta A8.svg A8 Rogovići - Matulji (A7) (expressway upgrade, some alterations of the route)
Autocesta A10.svg A10 Metković border crossing - Metković interchange (A1)
Autocesta A11.svg A11 Buševec - Lekenik - Sisak - Mošćenica
Autocesta A12.svg A12 Sveta Helena interchange (A4) - Vrbovec - Koprivnica (a part of the route currently executed as an expressway)
Autocesta A13.svg A13 Vrbovec - Bjelovar - Virovitica

List of expressways

There is a wide variety of types of expressways in Croatia, in terms of number of lanes, accessibility and types of intersections comprised. They range from four lane expressways with grade-separated intersections and limited access - distinguished from the motorways by lack of emergency lanes only - to four or six lane urban expressways with numerous at-grade intersections and traffic lights or two lane limited access roads with grade separated intersections. The expressways include both incomplete motorways, built in stages,[5] and some state roads (with either limited access, more than two traffic lanes, grade-separated intersections or any combination thereof). There are even some instances of county roads which may be regarded expressways such as Jadranska Avenue (Ž1040).

As a rule, the expressways are not tolled, however major bridges and tunnels on the B8 and the B9 expressways are tolled.

Completed expressways

Number Control cities (or other appropriate route description)
Brza cesta B8.svg A8 Kanfanar (A9) - Rogovići - Matulji (A7) (two lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)
Brza cesta B9.svg A9 Kanfanar (A8) - Umag (two lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)
Državna cesta D1.svg D1 sections through Karlovac[6] (four lane expressway, with at-grade intersections)
Državna cesta D1.svg D1 Dugopolje interchange (A1) - Split[7] (three lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)
Državna cesta D2.svg D2 Osijek southern bypass[7] (two lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)
Državna cesta D8.svg D8 sections through Split[8] (four lane expressway, with at-grade intersections)
Brza cesta B12.svg A12
Državna cesta D28.svg D28
Sveta Helena interchange (A4) - Vrbovec (four lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)
The road is currently physically marked D28, however pursuant to applicable legislation and an agreement between Hrvatske Autoceste and Hrvatske ceste made in 2009, the expressway management is transferred to the former, the road is designated as A12 (the legislation stipulates that it shall be marked B12 until it is upgraded to motorway standards).
Državna cesta D424.svg D424 Zadar 2 interchange (A1) - Zadar[9] (four lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)
Državna cesta D425.svg D425 Karamatići - Ploče[10] (four/two lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)
Državna cesta D522.svg D522 Šibenik (Tromilja) interchange (A1) - Šibenik[11] (two lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)
Državna cesta D533.svg D533 Gornja Ploča interchange (A1) - Udbina[12] (two lane expressway, with grade separated intersections)

List of state roads

State roads are defined by legislation[13] as important routes for road traffic between various parts of the country. Classification of a road as a state road does not describe actual conditions of the road itself.

State roads in Croatia are assigned one, two or three digit numbers which generally comply with the following pattern (although there are some exceptions to the rules):

At the moment the state roads in Croatia have a combined length of 6,819.7 km (4,237.6 mi).

D1 - D9

Number Control cities (or other appropriate route description)
Državna cesta D1.svg D1 Macelj - Krapina - Karlovac - Knin - Split
Državna cesta D2.svg D2 Dubrava Križovljanska - Varaždin - Koprivnica - Virovitica - Našice - Osijek - Vukovar - Ilok
Državna cesta D3.svg D3 Goričan - Čakovec - Varaždin - Zagreb - Karlovac - Rijeka
Državna cesta D5.svg D5 Terezino Polje - Virovitica - Daruvar - Okučani - Stara Gradiška
Državna cesta D6.svg D6 Jurovski Brod - Ribnik - Karlovac - Vojnić - Glina - Dvor
Državna cesta D7.svg D7 Duboševica - Beli Manastir - Osijek - Đakovo - Slavonski Šamac
Državna cesta D8.svg D8 Pasjak - Rijeka - Senj - Zadar - Split - Makarska - Klek; Zaton Doli - Dubrovnik - Karasovići
Državna cesta D9.svg D9 Metković - Opuzen (D8)

D20 - D70

Number Control cities (or other appropriate route description)
Državna cesta D20.svg D20 Čakovec (D3) - Prelog - Drnje (D41)
Državna cesta D21.svg D21 Kaštel – Buje – Medaki interchange (A9) – Bale – Pula (D400)
Državna cesta D22.svg D22 Novi Marof (D3) – Križevci – Sv. Ivan Žabno (D28)
Državna cesta D23.svg D23 Duga Resa (D3) – Josipdol – Žuta Lokva – Senj (D8)
Državna cesta D24.svg D24 Zabok (D1) – Zlatar Bistrica – D. Konjšćina – Budinšćina – Novi Marof – Varaždinske Toplice – Ludbreg (D2)
Državna cesta D25.svg D25 Korenica (D1) – Bunić – Lički Osik – Gospić – Karlobag (D8)
Državna cesta D26.svg D26 Vrbovec (D28) - Čazma - Garešnica - Dežanovac - Daruvar (D5)
Državna cesta D27.svg D27 Gračac (D1) - Obrovac - Benkovac - Stankovci - D8
Državna cesta D28.svg D28 Sv. Helena interchange (A4) - Vrbovec interchange - Bjelovar - Veliki Zdenci (D5)
Državna cesta D29.svg D29 N. Golubovec (D35) - Zlatar Bistrica - Marija Bistrica - Soblinec (D3)
Državna cesta D30.svg D30 Buzin interchange (A3) - Velika Gorica - Petrinja - Hrvatska Kostajnica - Hrvatska Kostajnica
Državna cesta D31.svg D31 V. Gorica (D30) - G. Viduševac - D6
Državna cesta D32.svg D32 Prezid - Delnice (D3)
Državna cesta D33.svg D33 Strmica - Knin - Drniš - Šibenik (ferry port)
Državna cesta D34.svg D34 Daruvar (D5) - Suhopolje (D2) - Donji Miholjac - Josipovac (D2)
Državna cesta D35.svg D35 Varaždin (D2) - Lepoglava - Sv. Križ Začretje (D1)
Državna cesta D36.svg D36 Karlovac (D1) - Pokupsko - Sisak - Popovača interchange (A3)
Državna cesta D37.svg D37 Sisak (D36) - Petrinja - Glina (D6)
Državna cesta D38.svg D38 Pakrac (D5) - Požega - Pleternica - Đakovo (D7)
Državna cesta D39.svg D39 Aržano - Cista Provo - Dubci (D8)
Državna cesta D40.svg D40 Čavle (D3) - Čavle interchange (A6) - D8
Državna cesta D41.svg D41 Gola - Koprivnica - Križevci - Vrbovec (D28)
Državna cesta D42.svg D42 Vrbovsko (D3) - Ogulin - Josipdol - Plaški - Selište Drežničko (D1)
Državna cesta D43.svg D43 Đurđevac (D2) - Bjelovar - Čazma - Ivanić Grad interchange (A3)
Državna cesta D44.svg D44 Ponte Portone (D21) - Buzet - Lupoglav interchange (A8)
Državna cesta D45.svg D45 V. Zdenci (D5) - Garešnica - Kutina interchange (A3)
Državna cesta D46.svg D46 Đakovo (D7) - Vinkovci - Tovarnik
Državna cesta D47.svg D47 Lipik (D5) - Novska - Hrvatska Dubica - Hrvatska Kostajnica - Dvor (D6)
Državna cesta D48.svg D48 Baderna (D21) - Pazin - Rogovići interchange (A8)
Državna cesta D49.svg D49 Pleternica - Lužani interchange (A3)
Državna cesta D50.svg D50 Žuta Lokva (D23) - Otočac - Gospić - Gračac (D27)
Državna cesta D51.svg D51 Gradište (D53) - Požega - Nova Gradiška interchange (A3)
Državna cesta D52.svg D52 Špilnik (D50) - Korenica (D1)
Državna cesta D53.svg D53 D. Miholjac - Našice - Slavonski Brod
Državna cesta D54.svg D54 Maslenica (D8) - Zaton Obrovački (D27)
Državna cesta D55.svg D55 Borovo (D2) - Vinkovci - Županja
Državna cesta D56.svg D56 Tromilja interchange (D424) - Benkovac - Skradin - Drniš - Muć - Klis-Grlo interchange (D1)
Državna cesta D57.svg D57 Vukovar (D2) - Orolik - Nijemci - Lipovac interchange (A3)
Državna cesta D58.svg D58 Šibenik (port) - Boraja - Trogir (D8)
Državna cesta D59.svg D59 Knin (D1) - Kistanje - Bribirske Mostine - Putičanje - Kapela (D8)
Državna cesta D60.svg D60 Brnaze (D1) - Trilj - Cista Provo - Imotski - Vinjani Donji
Državna cesta D62.svg D62 Šestanovac (D39) - Zagvozd - Vrgorac - Kula Norinska - Metković (D9)
Državna cesta D64.svg D64 Pazin (D48) - Podpićan - Vozilići (D66)
Državna cesta D66.svg D66 Pula (D400) - Labin - Opatija - Matulji (D8)
Državna cesta D69.svg D69 Slatina (D2) - Čeralije - Voćin - Zvečevo - Kamensko (D38)
Državna cesta D70.svg D70 Omiš (D8) - Naklice - Gata - Blato n/C interchange (A1)

D100 - D128

D200 - D225

D300 - D315

D400 - D425

D500 - D534

See also

References

  1. Croatian Parliament (2008-06-09). "Zakon o sigurnosti prometa na cestama" (in Croatian). Narodne novine 2008-67. čl. 2, t. 1, st. 3. http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2008_06_67_2224.html. Retrieved 2010-06-28. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Croatian Parliament (2004-12-18). "Zakon o javnim cestama" (in Croatian). Narodne novine. http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2004_12_180_3130.html. Retrieved 2010-06-28. 
  3. Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia) (2003-05-06). "Regulation on markings of motorways, their chainage, interchanges and rest areas" (in Croatian). Narodne novine. http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/305463.html. Retrieved 2010-06-28. 
  4. "Decision on amendments and additions to the Decision on classification of public roads as motorways" (in Croatian). Narodne Novine. January 23, 2009. http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2009_01_13_296.html. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Regulation on motorway markings, chainage, interchange/exit/rest area numbers and names" (in Croatian). Narodne novine. April 24, 2003. http://www.mmpi.hr/UserDocsImages/nn-73-03-Pravilnik-oznacav-ac.htm. 
  6. "The works must be finished by touristic season or suspended" (in Croatian). Večernji list. April 9, 2010. http://www.vecernji.hr/regije/moramo-zavrsiti-turisticke-sezone-ili-obustavljamo-radove-clanak-123512. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Solin - Klis expressway closed from 5am to 1pm due to road works" (in Croatian). Slobodna Dalmacija. June 5, 2010. http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Hrvatska/tabid/66/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/105021/Default.aspx. 
  8. "Trogir - Omiš expressway construction resumed" (in Croatian). Nova TV. November 6, 2006. http://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/nastavljena-izgradnja-brze-ceste-trogir-omis.html. 
  9. "Kalmeta officially opens Zadar 2 - Gaženica four lane expressway" (in Croatian). eZadar. November 6, 2007. http://www.ezadar.hr/clanak/kalmeta-sluzbeno-otvorio-cetverotracnu-brzu-cestu-zadar-2-gazenica. 
  10. "The motorway approaches Dubrovnik" (in Croatian). Dubrovački List. December 27, 2008. http://www.dulist.hr/content/view/3109/95/. 
  11. "Šibenik - Drniš - Knin - Bosnia and Herzegovina border expressway" (in Croatian). Građevinar. March 28, 2008. http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/43450. 
  12. "Dalmatina opens gates of Dalmatia" (in Croatian). Slobodna Dalmacija. July 1, 2003. http://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/20030701/novosti01.asp. 
  13. Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia) (February 17, 2010). "Decision on categorization of public roads as state roads, county roads and local roads" (in Croatian). Narodne novine. http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2010_02_17_410.html. 

External links