A8 (Croatia)

A8 motorway
Istarski ipsilon

in use other motorways
Route information
Part of
Length: 64.0 km (39.8 mi)
Major junctions
From: A9 in Kanfanar interchange
  D8 near Opatija
D44 in Lupoglav interchange
To: A7 in Matulji interchange
Location
Counties: Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Istria
Major cities: Pazin, Opatija, Rijeka
Highway system

Motorways in Croatia

The A8 motorway (Croatian: Autocesta A8), formerly known as the B8 expressway (Croatian: Brza cesta B8), is a 64.0-kilometre (39.8 mi) motorway in Croatia. It connects the A7 motorway near Rijeka with the road network in the Istrian peninsula via the Učka Tunnel . The road terminates at the Kanfanar interchange with the A9 motorway, as the two form the Istrian Y road system. The motorway's national significance is reflected in its positive economic impact on the cities and towns it connects, as well as its importance to tourism in Croatia. The importance of the motorway for tourism is particularly high during summer tourist seasons, when traffic volume increases by about 50 percent.

Construction of the A8 motorway and the Istrian Y can be traced back to 1968 when the Croatian Parliament decided to build a modern road linking Istria with the rest of Croatia. Subsequently, a public loan to fund the construction works was started. The construction works started in 1976 and in 1981 the Učka Tunnel and a 22.6-kilometre (14.0 mi) section of the route between Matulji and Lupoglav were completed as a single-carriageway expressway. Lupoglav–Cerovlje was the next section to be completed in 1988. The route was extended to Rogovići interchange between 1992 and 1998 and the remaining section to Kanfanar was completed in 1999 as a two-lane expressway. In 2011, the expressway route started to expand gradually with addition of a new carriageway and emergency lanes; the route's first section, the Kanfanar–Rogovići section, was completed in October 2011. Expansion of the route to the motorway standards including six lanes and grade separation of all its interchanges is scheduled by 2015, when the second tube of the Učka Tunnel as well as a new route connecting the tunnel to the A7 motorway is planned. As the construction works slowed down in the 1990s due to lack of funding, a build-operate-transfer concession for the Istrian Y was granted to BINA Istra for a period of 32 years.

All intersections of the expressway are grade separated, except for a single intersection currently regulated by traffic lights, but this is planned to be bypassed eventually by a new route in the area. As of September 2011, there were ten exits and two rest areas along the route. As the motorway is tolled using a ticket system, each exit includes a toll plaza. The A8/A9 system of the Istrian Y have an integrated toll system in place. The motorway is currently toll free, with an exception of the Učka Tunnel and the Kanfanar-Rogovići

Contents

Route description

See also: Učka Tunnel

The A8 motorway is an east–west motorway in Croatia, crossing the eastern and central parts of Istria. It connects Rijeka, the largest city on the northern Adriatic coast of Croatia, to Istria via the Kanfanar interchange shared with the A9 motorway.[1] This part of road network of Croatia is also a part of the European route E751—consisting of Koper–Kanfanar–Pula and Kanfanar–Rijeka sections.[2] The route is economically important to Croatia, especially for tourism and as a transit transport route. The road carries significant transit and tourist traffic route as it represents the largest-capacity road link between Istria and Kvarner Gulf region, and the nation's capital, Zagreb.[3][4]

The route originates in the Kanfanar interchange with the A9 motorway and the D303 road in central Istria, east of Rovinj. From that point, the A8 proceeds east towards Žminj exit and there it turns north towards Rogovići interchange with the D48. The latter represents the western approach to Pazin, the capital of Istria County. A8 section between Kanfanar and Rogovići consists of four traffic lanes with a central reservation.[5] Beyond the Rogovići interchange, the A8 changes direction once again, running generally to the northeast towards Lupoglav exit and interchange with the D44 state road. Past Lupoglav, the A8 turns southeast until it reaches the D500 at the Vranja exit and the western portal of the 5,062-metre (16,608 ft) Učka Tunnel, the third-longest road tunnel in Croatia.[4] The tunnel carries the route east, and it represents the end of the easternmost section of the Istrian Y system comprising the A8 and the A9 motorways where toll is charged. Consequently, there are toll plazas adjacent to both tunnel portals.[6] East of the tunnel, the route runs northeast to the Matulji interchange with the A7, representing the eastern terminus of the motorway. The section contains Opatija and Veprinac exits, serving Opatija, Ičići, Lovran and other Opatija Riviera resorts.[7] Unlike all other exits found along the route, the Opatija exit is an at-grade intersection regulated by traffic lights, while the Veprinac exit is executed as a diamond interchange.[8] Overall, the A8 is 64.0 kilometres (39.8 miles) long with 10 exits along the route. A significant portion of the route has no emergency lanes but laybys are available at different intervals along the route.[4][9][10]

An automatic traffic monitoring and guidance system is installed along the motorway. It consists of measuring, control and signalling devices located in zones where driving conditions may vary, such as at the interchanges, viaducts, bridges and zones where fog and strong wind are known to occur. The system uses variable-traffic signs to communicate changing driving conditions, possible restrictions and other information to motorway users.[11] In the Učka Tunnel There are 83 security cameras, 538 fire detectors, 39 fire hydrants, 74 emergency stations, and five vehicle emergency lay-bys.[6]

Toll

The A8 is a toll road based on the vehicle classification in Croatia using a ticket system. The system was introduced as a unified toll charge system throughout the Istrian Y motorways in June 2011. Consequently, vehicles using either the A8 or the A9 or switching between the two at the Kanfanar interchange are charged toll only when they leave the Istrian Y system no matter where their toll ticket was issued.[12] Along the A8 motorway, the toll is charged for use of the Učka Tunnel and the Kanfanar–Rogovići section only, and the remaining sections of the motorway are toll-free as of December 2011. Regardless, toll tickets are issued and collected on all the exits. For instance, vehicles traveling between Rogovići and Vranja interchanges are issued toll tickets and are required to stop at toll plazas when entering and leaving the A8, but they are not charged for use of the route. The toll charge for the entire length of the motorway ranges from 36.00 kuna (€4.80) for passenger cars to 205.00 kuna (€27.33) for semi-trailer trucks.[13] The toll is payable in either Croatian kuna or euro using major credit cards, debit cards and several prepaid toll collection systems, including various types of smart cards issued by the motorway operator and ENC—an electronic toll collection (ETC) system which is shared on all motorways in Croatia except the A2, providing drivers with discounted toll rates and dedicated lanes at toll plazas.[14]

The operator of the expressway, BINA Istra, reported 65.8 million kuna (€8.9 million), without VAT, of income in the first half of 2011. This represented a 30.8-percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. The figure includes the entire Istrian Y system, i.e. the A8 and A9 motorways. Major part of the increase is attributed to introduction of the closed toll system along the routes, replacing an open toll system where the toll was charged at the Mirna Bridge and the Učka Tunnel only.[4][15]

History

Construction of the A8 motorway and the Istrian Y as a whole has its origin in 1968, when the Croatian Parliament endorsed a petition of legislators from Istria to promote construction of a modern road between the peninsula and the rest of Croatia. Subsequently, municipalities in Istria started a public loan to fund construction of the Učka Tunnel. From 1976 and 1981, construction works occurred, which also comprised construction of a 22.6-kilometre (14.0 mi) section of the route between Matulji and Lupoglav.[16]

The Y shape formed by the A8 and the A9 routes was originally defined by spatial planning documents enacted in Rijeka and Istria, subsequently incorporated in spatial planning documents of the Republic of Croatia in 1988. Lupoglav–Cerovlje was the next section to be completed in 1988. The A8 route was extended to Rogovići interchange between 1992 and 1998 and the remaining section to Kanfanar was completed in 1999.[16]

As the construction works were comparatively slow due to lack of funding, a motorway concession for the A8 and A9 motorways was granted to BINA Istra for a period of 32 years. The build-operate-transfer concession agreement mandated construction, maintenance and management of the route and their upgrade to the motorway standards, inculuding dual carriageways when traffic volume eventually reaches 10,000 vehicles per day or when the average summer daily traffic reaches 16,000 vehicles. The latter was achieved in 2005 and the motorway upgrade works started in 2008, even though the AADT at the time was merely 8,500 vehicles.[16] The expansion was commenced by the A8 operator, BINA Istra, immediately following a similar expansion of the A9, where the entire route was widened except for the two largest bridges whose expansion was postponed. The expansion of the A8 was initially limited to the Kanfanar–Rogovići section because the remainder of the route requires additional permits and consequently an extended preparation period.[17][18] On 29 October 2011, the Kanfanar–Rogovići was upgraded to motorway standards, including four traffic lanes, and the route changed designation from the B8 to A8 conforming to applicable legislation.[19][5] The construction works performed along the section entailed deep and long cuts requiring temporary suspensions of traffic due to explosive blasting.[20][21]

Further construction

Further planned expansion of the A8 route was agreed between BINA Istra and the government of Croatia. The agreement defines construction of the additional carriageway and emergency lanes between Rogovići and Matulji interchanges, including the second Učka Tunnel tube. These works are scheduled to be carried out by late 2014 or early 2015.[16][22] Authorities have also proposed to build a new route between Veprinac and Matulji interchanges to bypass Opatija area and the single at-grade intersection of the route. The new route is planned to form a junction with the A7 motorway west of the Matulji interchange where the A8 terminates now.[20][21] The new section is expected to be 8 kilometres (5.0 miles) long and to form a part of the Rijeka transport node, aimed at improving road, rail and seaport transport facilities in and around Rijeka.[23]

Traffic volume

Traffic is regularly counted and reported by BINA Istra, operator of the motorway, and published by Hrvatske ceste. In 2010 the traffic volume was measured in two sections only—in the Učka Tunnel and between Lupoglav and Cerovlje. The largest annual average daily traffic (AADT) volume was recorded in the Učka Tunnel. That section represents the only high performance link between Istria and the rest of the Croatian motorway network.[24]

Variations between AADT and average summer daily traffic (ASDT) traffic volumes are attributed to the fact that the motorway carries substantial tourist traffic to the Adriatic Sea resorts along the Istria peninsula. On average, the A8 motorway carries ASDT increased 65% or more compared to the AADT. The largest increase of the ASDT relative to the AADT is observed on the Veprinac–Vranja section—which includes the Učka Tunnel, at 68%.[24] During the summer of 2007, ASDT of 14,000 was observed in the tunnel, prompting BINA Istra to consider preparation of construction of the second tunnel tube.[25] BINA Istra expects the motorways it manages to carry more than 20,000 vehicles per day during peak tourist season periods.[26]

A8 traffic volume details (2010)
Road Counting site AADT ASDT Notes
A8 2808 Lupoglav south 6,624 10,114 Between D44 and Ž5046 junctions
A8 2812 Učka Tunnel toll plaza 7,670 11,087 Between D500 and Ž5048 junctions

Rest areas

As of September 2011, there were two rest areas along the A8 route. Legislation identifies four types of rest areas designated as types "A" through "D" – A-type rest areas comprise a full range of amenities, including a filling station, a restaurant and a hotel or motel; B-type rest areas have no lodging; C-type rest areas are very common and include a filling station and a café, but no restaurants or accommodations; while D-type rest areas only offer parking spaces, possibly picnicking tables and benches, and restrooms. Even though rest areas found along the A4 motorway generally follow this ranking system, some of them offer extra services. The filling stations regularly have small convenience stores, and some of them may offer LPG fuel.[27]

The primary expressway operator, BINA Istra, leases the A, B and C type rest areas to various operators through public tenders. As of September 2011, INA was the rest-area operator on the A9 motorway. The rest area operators are not permitted to sub-lease the fuel operations. The A8 route rest areas are accessible from both directions of the motorway and operate operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.[28]

List of A8 motorway rest areas
County km Name[19] Operators Type[27] Notes[28]
Istria 46.6 Vranja INA C Facilities found at the Vranja rest area comprise a filling station selling petrol and diesel fuel. The rest area is integrated in the Vranja exit interchange.[29]
Primorje-Gorski Kotar 62.7 Matulji D Facilities found at the Matulji rest area comprise a café and parking areas.
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Exit list

County km Exit Name[19] Destination[7] Notes
Istria 0.0 1 Kanfanar A9
D303
E751		 Connection to the A9 motorway as connection to Pula to the south and Poreč, Umag, Koper, Slovenia and Trieste, Italy to the north. The D303 state road serves Rovinj.
The western terminus of the European route E751 concurrency
The western terminus of the road
6.0 2 Žminj Ž5077 Connection to Žminj and Barban (D66)
16.8 3 Rogovići D48
Ž5190		 Connection to Pazin (west) and to the D64 state road to Labin.
22.7 4 Ivoli Ž5013 Connection to Pazin (east) and the D64 state road.
27.8 5 Cerovlje Ž5046 Connection to Cerovlje.
40.3 6 Lupoglav D44 Connection to Lupoglav and Buzet.
46.6 Vranja rest area
46.7 7 Vranja D500
Ž5047		 Connection to Šušnjevica, Kršan and further on towards the D64 state road.
46.8 Učka Tunnel west toll plaza Eastbound traffic only is tolled at this toll plaza.
Istria / Primorje‑Gorski Kotar 49.3 Učka Tunnel
Primorje‑Gorski Kotar 52.6 Učka Tunnel east toll plaza Westbound traffic only is tolled at this toll plaza.
56.2 8 Veprinac Ž5048 Connection to Veprinac, Ičići and the D66 state road.
62.7 Matulji rest area
63.3 8a Opatija D8 Connection to Opatija, Rijeka via Kvarnerska Cesta (west); Ičići and Lovran via the D66. This is the only exit along the expressway that is not grade separated, and is regulated by traffic lights.
64.0 9 Matulji A7
E61
E751		 Connection to the A7 motorway (E61)
The eastern terminus of the European route E751 concurrency
The eastern terminus of the road
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
     Concurrency terminus •      Closed/Former •      Incomplete access •      Unopened

See also

Croatia portal
Roads portal

Sources

  1. ^ "Overview of motorways and semi-motorways". HUKA. http://www.huka.hr/Motorways-network/. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 
  2. ^ "European Agreement on main international traffic arteries (AGR) (with annexes and list of roads). Concluded at Geneva on 15 November 1975" (PDF). United Nations. http://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201302/volume-1302-I-21618-English.pdf. Retrieved July 29, 2011. 
  3. ^ Jelena Lončar (December 14, 2007). "Međuovisnost prometa i turizma u Hrvatskoj [Interdependency of transport and tourism in Croatia]" (in Croatian). geografija.hr. http://www.geografija.hr/clanci/1301/meduovisnost-prometa-i-turizma-u-hrvatskoj. Retrieved September 6, 2010. 
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  8. ^ Google Maps. Overview map of the A8 (Map). http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=A9&daddr=A8&geocode=FXVbsAIdYsvSAA%3BFYIrtAIdiq7aAA&hl=en&mra=prev&sll=45.158801,14.080353&sspn=0.648807,1.454315&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=10. Retrieved September 22, 2010. 
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  11. ^ (PDF) Croatian Motorways. Hrvatske autoceste. 2007. pp. 130–133. ISBN 9789537491. http://www.hac.hr/files/file/brosure/monografija/virtualMagazine.html. Retrieved September 5, 2010. 
  12. ^ "Cestarina na Ipsilonu [Istrian Y toll]" (in Croatian). BINA Istra. http://www.bina-istra.com/Default.aspx?sid=10. Retrieved September 13, 2011. 
  13. ^ "Cjenik dionica na karti [Section pricelist on a map]" (in Croatian). BINA Istra. http://www.bina-istra.com/Default.aspx?sid=2039. Retrieved November 11, 2011. 
  14. ^ "Statistički podaci [Electronic toll collection available on HAC, ARZ and BINA Istra motorways]" (in Croatian). HUKA. http://www.huka.hr/Cestarine/ENC/. Retrieved August 28, 2010. 
  15. ^ "Rast prihoda od naplate cestarine [Toll revenue increases]" (in Croatian). Privredni vjesnik. August 17, 2011. http://www.privredni.hr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3288&Itemid=2. Retrieved September 14, 2011. 
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  18. ^ "Rogovići - Kanfanar section construction works commence" (in Croatian). Glas Istre. September 25, 2009. http://www.glasistre.hr/istra/vijest/112460. 
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  20. ^ a b Darko Pajić (June 10, 2011). "Gradnja druge cijevi tunela Učka 2012. [Construction of the second Učka Tunnel tube in 2012]" (in Croatian). Novi list. http://www.novilist.hr/Vijesti/Rijeka/Ri-Servis/Gradnja-druge-cijevi-tunela-Ucka-2012. Retrieved September 22, 2011. 
  21. ^ a b A. Pokrajac (September 25, 2009). "Počinju radovi na dionici Kanfanar - Rogovići [Kanfanar - Rogovići section works commence]" (in Croatian). Glas Istre. http://www.glasistre.hr/istra/vijest/112460. Retrieved September 22, 2011. 
  22. ^ Silvana Fable (June 20, 2010). "Istra dobila prve kilometre autoceste. I cestarinu također [Istria got the first kilometers of motorways. And toll charges too.]" (in Croatian). Jutarnji list. http://www.jutarnji.hr/istra-dobila-prve-kilometre-autoceste-i-prvu-naplatu-cestarine/840609/. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  23. ^ Goran Puž, Mario Crnjak (November 2007). "Kapitalna prometna infrastruktura [Major transport infrastructure]" (in Croatian) (PDF). Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia). pp. 29-38. http://www.mmpi.hr/UserDocsImages/Kapitalna_prometna_infrastruktura.pdf. Retrieved 26 December 2011. 
  24. ^ a b "Brojanje prometa na cestama Republike Hrvatske godine 2010. [Traffic counting on the roadways of Croatia in 2010 - digest]" (PDF). Hrvatske ceste. May 2010. http://www.hrvatske-ceste.hr/WEB%20-%20Legislativa/brojenje-prometa/BrPr_2010_saz.pdf. Retrieved September 14, 2011. 
  25. ^ Agneza Urošević (17 December 2007). "Kroz tunel Učku prošlo 40-milijunto vozilo" (in Croatian). Poslovni dnevnik. http://www.poslovni.hr/64312.aspx. Retrieved 4 December 2011. 
  26. ^ Krešimir Tadijić (June 13, 2011). "U sezoni se očekuje više od 20.000 prolaza dnevno [20,000 vehicles expected to pass each day during peak season]" (in Croatian). limun.hr. http://limun.hr/main.aspx?id=716146&Page=6. Retrieved September 14, 2011. 
  27. ^ a b "Basic types and offer of roadside service facilities". Hrvatske autoceste. http://www.hac.hr/en/motorways/rest-areas/basic-types/. Retrieved July 29, 2011. 
  28. ^ a b "Odmorišta Ipsilona [Rest areas of the Upsilon]" (in Croatian). BINA Istra. http://www.bina-istra.com/Default.aspx?sid=669. Retrieved September 14, 2011. 
  29. ^ "Petrol Station Search". INA. http://www.ina.hr/default.aspx?id=475. Retrieved September 14, 2011. 
Motorways (autocesta, pl. autoceste)
A1 • A2 • A3 • A4 • A5 • A6 • A7 • A8 • A9 • A11
Expressways (* partial)
D1* • D28* • D424 • D425 • D522 • D533
Future motorways
A10 • A12 • A13
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