Minister Kalmeta Attended Opening of the Jankomir – Zaprešić Route

The Minister of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development Božidar Kalmeta explained that with the new 6.4 km route Jankomir-Zaprešić, as a section of the motorway Zagreb-Macelj and the Zagreb beltway, and the 30 km route Županja-Lipovac, Croatia would soon count 1020 km of motorway roads. This was stated at today’s festive opening of the passage Jankomir – Zaprešić.

He added that ten years ago Croatia had only 285 kilometers of motorway roads, adding that by 2008 that number would reach 1250 kilometers.

According to Kalmeta it was very important to support the construction of motorways in order to achieve more efficiency and more safety in transport, to create new job opportunities, to stimulate the economic development of the country as well as to build a better standard of living.

By opening this passage for traffic one of Croatia's problematic traffic zones will be taken care off since it will decrease traffic jams and increase traffic security. The motorway is being built via a public private partnership through the company Autocesta Zagreb Macelj, 49% is being financed by the Croatian State and 51% will be secured the German company Phyrn Concessing Holding.

The Minister also said that a prior agreement which he had signed with the County of Krapina – Zagorje would be realized in a few days. He reminded everybody of the decision made by the Croatian Government regarding the toll fee decrease (by 56%) for all categories of vehicles driving along the Zabok- Krapina route till the completion of a parallel road.

President of the Autoceste Zagreb-Macelj directors’ board Wolfgang Altman, pointed out that the company would manage the motorway for the upcoming 28 years, based on a concession agreement signed in 2003.

Construction costs for the new route from Jankomir to Zaprešić amounted up to EUR 31.5 million and the construction activities lasted almost two years. The main constructor was the German company Phyrn Motorways in cooperation with domestic sub-constructors.