Croatia signs €250m contract for major new A7 motorway section

A7 motorway (Photo: Kelvis/CC BY-SA 3.0)

CRIKVENICA, 31 July 2026 – Croatia has taken another significant step towards completing its Adriatic motorway network after signing a €250 million contract for the construction of the Jadranovo–Selce section of the A7 motorway.

The agreement was signed on Friday in Crikvenica for the 12.3-kilometre subsection, which forms part of the planned Križišće–Žuta Lokva route. It follows the signing of the contract for the Križišće–Jadranovo section in March this year.

The project is regarded as one of Croatia’s most important road infrastructure investments, improving connections between Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Lika-Senj County while increasing traffic flow and road safety along the Adriatic coast.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković described the project as the second phase of the motorway, noting that it is considerably more technically demanding than the first and represents an investment of €250 million.

He said it was the first major road infrastructure investment in the area in more than 45 years, following the construction of the Crikvenica bypass and viaduct.

Work on the first section, valued at €150 million, is expected to begin by the end of this month. Together, the two phases represent a €400 million investment by the Croatian Government and Hrvatske autoceste (HAC).

Butković stressed that the motorway is being financed entirely through HAC, without the use of European Union funding.

He added that, once the Križišće–Žuta Lokva section and the planned motorway towards Dubrovnik are completed, Croatia’s motorway network will be fully finished.

(Photo: : MMPI)

The minister also highlighted other ongoing motorway projects, including the addition of a third lane on the Zagreb–Karlovac motorway and on the Jankomir–Lučko section of the Zagreb bypass. Construction on the latter is expected to begin in September. He also confirmed that Croatia plans to introduce an electronic toll collection system next year.

According to HAC President Boris Huzjan, the Jadranovo–Selce section is among the most technically challenging parts of the future A7 motorway.

The 12.3-kilometre route will include 11 bridges and viaducts and eight tunnels, with around 200 to 300 engineers expected to work on the project.

Crikvenica Mayor Ivona Matošić Gašparović said the motorway had long been awaited by local residents. She noted that it would significantly reduce traffic on the busy Adriatic Highway, particularly during the summer tourist season, while improving quality of life, transport links and economic development.

Deputy Prefect of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Robert Matić also welcomed the project, saying improved transport links would strengthen the region’s economy, competitiveness and tourism sector.

The construction contract was signed by HAC and a consortium comprising Kolektor CPG, Kolektor Koling, CGP, Gorenjska Gradbena Družba and Euro-Asfalt.