Croatia Delays Final Section of Budapest-Adriatic Motorway
Delay in Adriatic Coast Connection: New Completion Timeline Set for July
Travelers eagerly anticipating access to the Adriatic coast will have to exercise a bit more patience. The long-awaited connection between Hungary’s M6 motorway and Croatia’s A5 will not be ready by early summer as earlier hoped. The latest updates indicate that the completion is now pushed to the end of July.
On May 2, 2024, Hungary opened a new 20-kilometer stretch of the M6, extending southward between Bóly and Lippó. This new segment brings the Adriatic Sea closer for drivers, now leaving only a few kilometers of construction on the Croatian side to complete the two-lane link. Despite the contractors stating that the construction is in its “final phase,” the handover date continues to slip.
Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, who spoke in Beli Manastir (Pélmonostor), confirmed that the connection is set to open by late July. He highlighted that the inauguration of the north-south European 5C corridor will spur new investments, enhance freight traffic, and attract more tourists, ultimately fostering regional economic growth, according to PécsAktuál.
The completion of this project marks a significant milestone as it finalizes the Croatian segment of the 702-kilometer transport corridor linking Budapest to the Adriatic coast. The last five-kilometer stretch comes with a substantial budget of nearly EUR 46 million (over HUF 18.5 billion), funded by Croatia with assistance from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This segment includes eight bridges, with the longest measuring 318 meters, crossing the Magyarbóly-Pélmonostor railway and the Karasica stream.
Currently, construction is reported to be 80% complete. Once finished, the new route will enable uninterrupted motorway travel from Budapest into Bosnia and Herzegovina, spanning about 300 kilometers without breaks. However, the outlook is not as favorable for those hoping for a seamless journey to Dalmatia, as the Bosnian section remains under construction—only 138 kilometers of the planned 325 have been built, with full completion anticipated by 2030.
Meanwhile, Hungary has fulfilled its obligations, having completed the M6 stretch up to the border last year, awaiting its southern neighbor’s progress. This advancement will serve as a vital link for the Hungarian community residing in Croatia, facilitating easier travel to Hungary. Additionally, traffic at border crossings such as Mohács and nearby Udvar is expected to decrease significantly, with truck traffic likely being redirected to the motorway.
As previously reported in April, the Hungarian road-building industry is experiencing a historic moment, with the opening of the westernmost section of the M44 motorway in the Kecskemét area.
For more updates on traffic in Hungary, stay tuned.
