Dugi Rat–Omiš fast road construction to begin despite local opposition

Omiš

Construction of the long-awaited Dugi Rat–Omiš fast road is set to begin soon, with Croatian Roads (Hrvatske ceste) confirming that the project will proceed according to the existing plan, despite years of protests and calls for route changes from local residents and civic groups.

The €100 million infrastructure project, intended to significantly ease traffic congestion along one of Dalmatia’s busiest coastal corridors, has been in preparation for more than three decades.

Croatian Roads has now made it clear that altering the route of the Omiš bypass is not an option, HRT reported.

Speaking publicly, Ivica Budimir, President of the Management Board of Croatian Roads, said that any changes to the route would delay construction by at least ten years.

“The route remains as planned. Any changes that would require amendments to spatial planning documents or new environmental impact studies are out of the question, as they would set the project back by at least a decade,” Budimir stated.

His remarks have effectively dismissed the hopes of protest groups that alternative solutions might still be considered.

Local associations and citizen initiatives have strongly opposed the current design, arguing that it poses serious risks to both the environment and residents living below the planned route.

The project involves extensive drilling and blasting of rock formations above residential areas.

Instead of the planned construction of three tunnels and a viaduct, local groups have proposed an alternative solution involving a single tunnel and the construction of the Zakučac junction.

“If necessary, we will protest again and even block construction sites,” Ivan Barišić of the citizen initiative Save the Cetina River Mouth, supported by the Save Poljica Alliance and I Love Omiš association, told HRT. “What is being planned simply defies common sense.”

Barišić stressed that the project would devastate the environment and endanger lives. A formal request for a revision of the project section has been submitted to the Croatian Government and the relevant ministry.

Omiš

“All local councils of the City of Omiš and the Municipality of Dugi Rat have signed the request. The entire local community, both government and opposition, is united against a solution they believe is dangerous and destructive,” he said.

Public opinion remains divided. Some residents argue that citizens should have been consulted more directly, while others point out that the project dates back to 2001, when all permits were obtained and the road was officially designated as the Omiš bypass.

Traffic congestion on the Split–Omiš route has long been a serious problem, particularly during the summer tourist season. The fast road has been awaited for more than 30 years, with delays having a growing impact on daily life and tourism.

With navigation apps now highlighting traffic delays in real time, many visitors avoid the area altogether when congestion peaks.

“Omiš has around 8,000 residents, but more than 35,000 people during summer. This creates enormous pressure on the road network,” said Omiš Mayor Zvonko Močić. “We live from tourism, and we have high expectations from the three major infrastructure projects currently underway.”

One unresolved issue is a potential connection between the fast road and the motorway. According to Budimir, such a link was not included in the original project.

“If it proves feasible and necessary within the existing contract, we will carry it out,” he said, adding that discussions on the matter are ongoing.

Construction Timeline

Croatian Roads is expected to sign the construction contract with the selected contractor next week. Works are scheduled to begin shortly afterwards, with construction expected to last 42 months.