Chinese firm behind Pelješac Bridge wins major Croatian road project

Pelješac Bridge (Photo credit: Maureliusz/CC BY-SA 4.0)

A major infrastructure project that will significantly improve connectivity in eastern Croatia has officially begun.

On Wednesday, 7 May, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, attended the contract signing for the construction of the new Brestovac–Godinjak expressway near Požega.

The project, worth almost €160 million (excluding VAT), involves the construction of a 14.75-kilometre stretch of road in two phases, the ministry said in a statement.

Once completed, the expressway will provide the shortest connection between the city of Požega and the A3 motorway, enhancing transport links and boosting regional development.

The contract was signed by Ivica Budimir, President of the Board of Hrvatske Ceste, and Lu Shengwei, representative of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the selected contractor. CRBC is well known in Croatia for successfully delivering the iconic Pelješac Bridge, one of the country’s most important infrastructure achievements in recent years.

Minister Butković highlighted the significance of the project, noting it marks a historic moment for Požega-Slavonia County. “Better road access means more economic opportunities and improved quality of life,” he said. He also praised Hrvatske Ceste and County Prefect Antonija Jozić for their dedication.

Jozić added that the project is vital for ending the region’s transport isolation, having waited over 20 years for this connection. Improved access is expected to facilitate more efficient transport of goods to domestic and international markets.

The expressway will include a 1.65-km tunnel (Bablja Gora), two interchanges, five viaducts, four overpasses, and two bridges. It is the largest contract Hrvatske Ceste has signed since the Pelješac Bridge.