Turanj bypass in Karlovac opened to traffic

Following three years of construction and on the 444th anniversary of the founding of the City of Karlovac, the Turanj bypass in Karlovac was opened to traffic on Friday. It is widely expected that the bypass will ease traffic in that part of Karlovac, which has traditionally been a major passage for transit traffic.

Valued at some twenty-four million euros, the bypass will significantly reduce the amount of transit traffic running through the city. On hand for today’s opening were Deputy Prime Minister and Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Oleg Butković and Deputy Prime Minister and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Tomo Medved.

The President of the Board of the Croatian Roads Company, Josip Škorić, said that another seven million euros should be added to the cost of the bypass, so as to include the cost of the construction of the 300-meter long Korana bridge, and that the Sajevac viaduct and two overpasses are also on the route of that extension of the Karlovac expressway. His sentiments were echoed by Minister Butković: "The day has arrived to open this segment of the Mostanje-Vukmanički Cerovac expressway, with a total length of 6.2 kilometers, and at a value of roughly 30 million euros when you factor in the construction of this bridge some 13 or 14 years ago. So, I'm happy that after three years we have successfully completed this project."

The minister added that Croatia now has investments of more than three billion euros, funded primarily from European sources. He concluded that all of the large scale projects are being implemented, and the one completed in Karlovac today is one of the most important.

The opening of this ring road was part of the City Day celebration, considering that the construction of Karlovac began on July 13, 1579. On that occasion the Mayor Damir Mandić pointed out that the bypass will allow for a more normal daily life for local residents.

Source: HRT