The Minister of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development, Božidar Kalmeta, inspected the construction activities on the 37 km long segment Dugopolje - Bisko- Šestanovac of the motorway Split-Ploče. On that occasion the Minister explained that in two weeks time the Government would receive the proposal for a substantial toll rate lowering for the motorways Zagreb-Split and Zagreb-Rijeka as well as for other roads in the Croatian Motorways (Hrvatske Autoceste - HAC) system.
""We expect those price cuts to include not only cargo vehicles but also personal vehicles, in the amount up to 20, 30… percent. Those price cuts will last for the whole of winter and partly for spring. We want the motorways to be more accessible as far as toll rates are concerned, resulting in more intense traffic,’’ said Kalmeta answering the journalists’ questions regarding the low traffic on the motorway Zagreb-Split, outside the tourist season.
Minister Kalmeta stated how satisfied he was with the construction works along the segment Dugopolje-Šestanovac of the motorway Split-Ploče, emphasizing that everything was being conducted according to plans and within time-limits. Kalmeta added how the construction speed was being maintained, although the terrain was very difficult.
The costs for the segment Dugopolje-Šestanovac will mount up to HRK 1.6 billion and all the way to Ploče it will cost HRK 5.5 billion. Along the segment Dugopolje-Šestanovac will be built 52 structures, two tunnels (Zaranač, Bisko) are close to being completed. The mentioned structures also include four more tunnels, one bridge, nine viaducts, twelve overpasses, eleven underpasses and thirteen passages. The segment Dugopolje - Šestanovac will be finalized by 2007, and the Split – Ploče segment by 2008.
Minister Kalmeta, without going into details, explained how Croatian science had found a very good privatization model for Jadrolinija. He also announced that the construction of the mainland – Pelješac Bridge would start on 10 November. (Hina)