Croatia opens Adriatic coast bridge, linking divided region
Newslooks- ZAGREB, Croatia (AP)
Croatia on Tuesday opened a long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small sliver of Bosnia’s territory.
A general view of the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Monday, July 25, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
Braving summer heat, many Croats rushed early on Tuesday to be among the first to cross the Peljesac bridge on foot as it opened for pedestrians ahead of the formal opening ceremony planned in the evening. It was to open to road traffic after the ceremony.
A Croatian made ‘Nevera’ electric car is parked near the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Monday, July 25, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
Co-funded by the European Union and built by a Chinese company, the elegant, cable-stayed bridge with six pylons is a rare venture of its kind amid concerns in Europe over China’s bid to boost its economic influence through investment in infrastructure.
A general view of the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Monday, July 25, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
The 2.4 kilometer (1.5-mile) bridge spans the Adriatic Sea to link Croatia‘s mainland to the Peljesac peninsula in the south, thus also allowing easier access to the country’s most important tourism destination — the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik.
An aerial view of the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
State HRT television on Tuesday described the bridge opening as a “historic day that generations awaited.”
A general view of the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Monday, July 25, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
“This is big day for Croatia,” said Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. “Let’s enjoy it today!”
A Croatian made ‘Nevera’ electric car is parked near the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Monday, July 25, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
The Yugoslav federation had no internal borders between its six republics, including Croatia and Bosnia. But when it broke up in the early 1990s, the two parts of Croatia’s Adriatic Sea coastline were split by a narrow strip of Bosnia.
An aerial view of the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
Both residents and tourists had to pass border checks, which slowed down traffic and left the inhabitants of the southern area feeling isolated from the rest of the country.
An aerial view of the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
That area includes Dubrovnik, a stunning medieval town that has been on UNESCO’s protected heritage list and is Croatia’s biggest tourist attraction.
An aerial view of the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
The bridge finally became a reality in 2017 when the EU allocated 357 million euros ($365m), which covered much of the 526 million-euro ($533) cost. The China Road and Bridge Corporation in 2018 won an international tender to construct the bridge.
An aerial view of the newly built Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, southern Croatia, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Croatia is marking the opening of a key and long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small part of Bosnia’s territory. (AP Photo)
The project, however, had faced criticism from Bosnia, whose officials complained of unresolved border issues and said the bridge would hamper access to its part of the coastline.
Known for its stunning nature and hundreds of Adriatic Sea islands, Croatia is a major tourism destination, attracting millions from Europe and all over the world every summer. Tourism also is key for Croatia’s economy, which remains among the weakest in the EU.
