Istrian Y

Last updated
Istrian Y
Croatian: Istarski ipsilon
Istarski ipsilon.jpg
Location
Istria County
Roads at
junction
E751-HR.svg E751
Autocesta A8.svg A8
Autocesta A9.svg A9
Construction
Maintained by BINA Istra
TollsClosed toll collection system

The Istrian Y (Croatian : Istarski ipsilon) is a highway network in the Croatian highway network & TEN-T network, maintained by BINA Istra (1995 - at least 2027). It consists of 2 sections arranged in a shape similar to the alphabetical letter 'Y', located in the Istria County:

Contents

Eastern branch

The A8 is a 64.21 km (39.90 mi) long branch which starts at Matulji in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and finishes in Kanfanar interchange, at the crossing with the A9. The branch was initially built as a single carriageway limited-access road, but the part between Kanfanar and Pazin was projected as a dual carriageway, so all the objects on the road are already prepared for a conversion to a motorway.

The most prominent feature of this branch of Istrian Y is the 5.4 km (3.4 mi) long Učka Tunnel, the third longest tunnel in Croatia. The tunnel was opened in 1981 and is the main road that connects the Istrian peninsula with Rijeka and the rest of Croatia (and the only road for vehicles over 5 tonnes [1] ). The tunnel is tolled within a closed toll collection system with the rest of the network.

The first part opened as full motorway, from Kanfanar to Rogovići, was opened for traffic in 2011. Then, sections between Rogovići - Cerovlje, Cerovlje - Lupoglav, and Lupoglav - Vranja, opened in consecutive years from 2020.

Western branch

The A9 is a 76.79 km (47.72 mi) long branch which connects the Croatian-Slovenian border near Sečovlje with the city of Pula and services the tourist industry on the western coast of Istria. Motorway was initially built as single carriageway limited-access road.

There are two prominent object on this branch of Istrian Y: the viaduct "Limska draga" and the bridge "Mirna".

The viaduct "Limska draga" was built between 1988 and 1991 and was the first part of the western branch of Istrian Y that was constructed. The bridge is 552 m long and the height of the highest pillon is 120 m.

The bridge "Mirna" was opened to traffic in 2005. The bridge represents the crossing over river Mirna and was the most complicated object on the western branch of the Istrian Y because of the swampy terrain around the river. The bridge is 1355 m long and the height of the bridge at the highest point is 40 m. Currently the bridge is being tolled at the price of 14 HRK for passenger cars.

The southern leg of A9 motorway, between Kanfanar and Pula was opened as motorway for traffic in 2010. The northern leg of the A9 motorway, 50 km from Umag to Kanfanar, was opened as motorway for traffic on 14 June 2011, eight months before the deadline. [2] [3]

Upgrade

Source: [1]

The network, especially the A8 section and Učka Tunnel, is undergoing (as of 2023) and due to further undergo, extensive upgrade & refurbishment works. The works are split into 2 phases, sub-phases, and parts.

Bina-Istra upgrade phases for the Istrian-Y Bina-Istra Upgrade Phases.png
Bina-Istra upgrade phases for the Istrian-Y

Completed Phases

Phases Under Construction

Phase 2B2-1

Part A is already complete.

  • Part B
    • Construction of a new rest area, on Učka Tunnel's Kvarner portal side
    • Demolition of the existing rest area, on Učka Tunnel's Kvarner portal side
  • Other works
    • Upgrades to the existing Učka Tunnel tube's emergency and signalization systems
    • Construction of a new Učka Tunnel control room
    • Construction of new service buildings, on Učka Tunnel's Kvarner portal side
    • Construction of a new enclosure fence

Whilst the original tunnel tube is being refurbished, it will remain closed (planned until April 2025), and traffic will flow both directions through the new (North) tunnel tube. Traffic flowing Kvarner-bound through the Istria-bound (new) tube during this time is tolled at a temporary structure on the Istrian side. Traffic flowing the correct direction is tolled at a new permanent toll booth on the Kvarner side, the original toll booth having been demolished.

Other Phases

The primary source suggests the works in relation to these sub-phases are not a priority. However, according to sources [4] [5] published after this, Bina-Istra will develop these phases, with priority given to Phase 2B2-2. In July 2023 it was announced [6] that works on both these sub-phases would start imminently and last for 38 months until late 2026. Phase 2B2-2 is estimated to cost around EUR 200 million, [7] and when complete, will mean the journey time between Pula and Zagreb is approximately 2 and a half hours. The completion of both these phases will mean the entire network will be a dual carriageway profile.

The official breakthrough of the second Učka Tunnel tube on the 18 September 2023 meant the official start of works for both these phases. [7]

  • Phase 2B2-2
    • Construction of a ~10 km (6.2 mi) second carriageway between Matulji & Učka Tunnel's Kvarner portal side
    • Construction of an improved junction at Anđeli
    • Construction of drainage and management facilities to reduce the release of harmful liquids from vehicles into the environment [4]
    • In future, should the planned new Rijeka bypass be constructed, an interchange will likely be constructed on this section [4]
  • Phase 2B2-3
    • Construction of a second carriageway for the Mirna Bridge & Limska Draga Viaduct

Remaining Phases

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Croatia</span>

Transport in Croatia relies on several main modes, including transport by car, train, ship and plane. Road transport incorporates a comprehensive network of state, county and local routes augmented by a network of highways for long-distance travelling. Water transport can be divided into sea, based on the ports of Rijeka, Ploče, Split and Zadar, and river transport, based on Sava, Danube and, to a lesser extent, Drava. Croatia has 9 international airports and several airlines, of which the most notable are Croatia Airlines and Trade Air. Rail network is fairly developed but regarding inter-city transport, bus tends to be far more common than the rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Istria County</span> County in western Croatia

Istria County is the westernmost county of Croatia which includes the majority of the Istrian peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lupoglav, Istria County</span> Municipality in Istria County, Croatia

Lupoglav is a village and municipality in Istria, Croatia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parenzana</span> Defunct Italy-Croatia railway line

The Parenzana in Italian and Croatian or Porečanka in Slovene is one of the nicknames of a defunct 760mm/15 15/16 inch narrow gauge railway between Trieste and Poreč, in present-day Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A2 (Croatia)</span> Motorway in Croatia

The A2 motorway is a motorway in the Hrvatsko Zagorje region of northern Croatia, connecting Zagreb to the Macelj border crossing and Slovenia. The A2 motorway is part of the European route E59 and the Pan-European Corridor Xa. The motorway spans 59.2 kilometres (36.8 mi) between the Slovenian border and the Jankomir interchange within the Zagreb bypass, providing road connections to a number of cities and towns besides Zagreb, including Krapina, Zabok and Zaprešić. All sections of the motorway, except the northernmost one between the Macelj border crossing and Trakošćan, and the southernmost one near Zagreb, are tolled, using a closed toll collection system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A6 (Croatia)</span> Highway in Croatia

The A6 motorway is a motorway in Croatia spanning 80.2 kilometres (49.8 mi). It connects the nation's capital, Zagreb, via the A1, to the seaport of Rijeka. The motorway forms a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and is a part of European route E65 Nagykanizsa–Zagreb–Rijeka–Zadar–Split–Dubrovnik–Podgorica. The A6 motorway route also follows Pan-European corridor Vb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A7 (Croatia)</span> A 42.4-kilometre-long (26.3 mi) motorway in Croatia

The A7 motorway is a 42.4-kilometre-long (26.3 mi) motorway in Croatia. It connects the nation's largest port in Rijeka, to the Croatian motorway network, as well as to the Rupa and Pasjak border crossings to Slovenia. The motorway forms part of a longitudinal transportation corridor in Croatia, and it is a part of European route E61 Villach–Ljubljana–Trieste–Rijeka. The A7 motorway route south of Orehovica interchange, where it also intersects Pan-European corridor Vb, is a part of European route E65.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A8 (Croatia)</span> A 64.0-kilometre (39.8 mi) toll motorway in Croatia

The A8 motorway is a 64.0-kilometre (39.8 mi) toll 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, which with the A8 motorway forms 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 the summer tourist season, when its traffic volume increases by about 65%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A9 (Croatia)</span> Motorway in Croatia

The A9 motorway is a north–south motorway in Croatia, with a length of 78.3 kilometres. Beginning in Pula, the largest city on the Istrian peninsula, it runs north to the Croatian motorway and expressway network at the Kanfanar interchange. Here it meets the A8 motorway, forming the Istrian Y road system. The A9 continues north from here to the Kaštel and Plovanija border crossings into Slovenia. The motorway represents a significant north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and is a part of the European route E751. The motorway's national significance is reflected in the positive economic impact on the cities and towns it connects, as well as its importance to tourism in Croatia. Importance of the motorway for tourism is particularly high during summer tourist seasons, when traffic volume increases by more than 80%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European route E751</span> Road in trans-European E-road network

The European route E751, or E751, as defined by the Declaration on the Construction of Main International Traffic Arteries of 1975, and subsequent documents which amended the treaty, is an east–west Class-B branching European road route. Originating in Rijeka, Croatia, where it diverges from European route E61 before passing through the Kanfanar interchange, the route connects Pula, Rovinj, Poreč and Umag in Croatia with Koper in Slovenia. The route provides a high-performance road link in Istria and Slovenian Littoral. Unlike most routes, the E751 centers on the Kanfanar interchange and has three arms, each extending to Rijeka, Pula and Koper. The total length of the route, including all the route arms, is 160 km (99 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highways in Croatia</span> Aspect of transport in Croatia

Highways in Croatia are the main transport network in Croatia. The Croatian classification includes several classes of highways:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Učka Tunnel</span> Road tunnel in Croatia

The Učka Tunnel is a toll tunnel on the A8 motorway in Croatia, under the Učka mountain range, as part of the Istrian Y network in Istria owned and operated by BINA Istra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D303 road</span> A state road in Croatia

D303 is a state road connecting A9 and A8 motorways to Rovinj. The road is 13.5 km long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D21 road (Croatia)</span> Road in Croatia

D21 was an 80.1-kilometre-long (49.8 mi), north–south state road in Istria County, Croatia. A short section of D21 was part of the European route E751. The northern terminus of the route was located at the Croatia–Slovenia border at the Dragonja River. There it connected to Koper, Slovenia, and Trieste, Italy, via the Slovene route G11 further north. The route was generally parallel to A9 motorway, with which it formed several junctions, either directly or via short connectors, at Buje, Bale and Vodnjan – towns served directly by D21. The southern terminus of the route was found in the city of Pula, at the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D425 road</span> Road in Croatia

D425 is a state road in Croatia, connecting the outskirts of Ploče with the A1 motorway connector at the Karamatići toll station. Its main purpose is a connection from the motorway to the Port of Ploče. The road is 9.87 km (6.13 mi) long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BINA Istra</span>

BINA Istra is a Croatian joint stock company founded in 1995 to facilitate construction and subsequent management of an Istrian Y motorway, consisting of the A8 motorway and the A9 motorway. On September 21, 1995, BINA Istra has been granted concession regarding management of the Istrian Y. The concession agreement is valid until 15 December 2041, when the motorways shall be returned to the Republic of Croatia without any compensation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirna Bridge</span> Bridge in Istria, Croatia

The Mirna Bridge is located between the Nova Vas and Višnjan interchanges of the A9 motorway in Istria, Croatia, spanning the Mirna River and the wide Mirna River valley. It is 1,378 metres (4,521 ft) long and comprises two traffic lanes. The bridge has been open for traffic since June 2005. The bridge is one of the most significant structures on the motorway. The bridge was designed by Zlatko Šavor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javorova Kosa Tunnel</span>

Javorova Kosa Tunnel is one of the most significant structures on the Croatian A6 motorway route. It is 1,490 metres (4,890 ft) long and consists of two tunnel tubes. It is located between Vrbovsko and Ravna Gora interchanges. The tunnel is tolled within the A6 motorway closed toll collection system. There are no other toll plazas related to the use of the tunnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Podvugleš Tunnel</span>

Podvugleš Tunnel is one of 13 tunnels found on the Croatian A6 motorway route. Its tubes are 602 metres (1,975 ft) and 595 metres (1,952 ft) long. It is located between Vrbovsko and Ravna Gora interchanges. The tunnel is tolled within the A6 motorway closed toll collection system. There are no other toll plazas related to use of the tunnel. Various publications spell name of the tunnel as Podvugleš and Pod Vugleš, however the tunnel is signposted as Podvugleš Tunnel. Construction of the tunnel was completed by Konstruktor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanfanar interchange</span> Road interchange in Croatia

The Kanfanar interchange is a cloverleaf interchange west of Kanfanar, Croatia. The interchange represents the western terminus of the A8 motorway and it connects the A8 route to the A9 motorway representing major a link in the Croatian motorway system. The interchange represents a junction of three arms of the European route E751.

References

  1. 1 2 "State Aid SA.56832 (2020/N) – Croatia – Sixth amendment to the concession agreement relating to the Istrian Y Motorway (sub-phase 2B2-1: section Vranja Interchange to the Učka tunnel/Kvarner portal)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  2. "Kosor otvorila puni profil autoceste na Istarskom ipsilonu od Kanfanara do Umaga" (in Croatian). 14 June 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  3. "Svečano otvorena dionica autoceste Umag – Kanfanar". Regional Express - online magazin (in Croatian). 14 June 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 "PUNI PROFIL ISTARSKOG IPSILONA USKORO GOTOV: Dionicu Cerovlje - Vranja pustit će se u promet prije roka. Evo i detalja o drugoj cijevi tunela Učka" [FULL PROFILE OF ISTRIAN Y YEAR COMING SOON: The Cerovlje – Vranje section will be opened to traffic before the deadline. Here are the details of the second pipe of the Učka tunnel]. Glas Istre (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  5. Pajić, Darko (2021-07-26). "Otvorena dionica Istarskog ipsilona od Cerovlja do Lupoglava u punom profilu: Do Matulja najkasnije 2025" [Open section of the Istrian Y from Cerovlje to Lupoglav in full profile: To Matulji no later than 2025.]. Novi list (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  6. Đečević, Jasmin (2023-07-16). "Još samo 500 metara do probijanja druge cijevi tunela Učka. Evo koliko će trajati putovanje od Zagreba do Pule" [Only 500 meters left until the second pipe of the Učka tunnel is broken through. Here is how long the journey from Zagreb to Pula will take]. Novi list. Archived from the original on 2023-07-16. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  7. 1 2 Đečević, Jasmin (2023-09-18). "Probijena druga cijev tunela Učka! U prometu će biti do idućeg ljeta, počela izgradnja dionice do Matulja" [The second tube of the Učka tunnel has been breached! It will be in traffic until next summer, the construction of the section to Matulje has begun]. Novi list (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2023-09-19.