Pelješac Bridge repairs to begin after cracks found in protective layer

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

ZAGREB, 27 July 2026 – Croatia’s Pelješac Bridge will undergo repair works after cracks were discovered in the bridge’s protective surface layer, although officials have stressed that the structure remains safe and traffic will continue as normal throughout the project.

According to Hrvatske ceste (Croatian Roads), the cracks have appeared in the protective coating on six of the bridge’s pylons. The company said this type of damage is not unusual for major infrastructure projects of this scale and does not affect the bridge’s structural integrity.

Repair work is scheduled to begin after the end of this year’s tourist season, with construction expected to start in early autumn and last around eight months, finishing before the start of the 2027 tourist season. If unforeseen issues arise, parts of the work could be postponed until the following autumn.

The repairs will be carried out by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the Chinese company that built the bridge, HRT reported.

The project falls within the bridge’s ten year warranty, which runs until 2032, meaning the contractor will cover the costs.

Croatian Roads said in a statement that the work will be completed in several phases, with scaffolding erected around each affected pylon. Equipment required for the repairs is not expected to interfere with traffic, although there may be occasional lane restrictions. Two way traffic across the bridge will be maintained throughout the works.

(Photo credit: kallerna/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Branko Bačić said the cracks are limited to the protective surface layer and have not affected either the bridge’s safety or its structure.

He explained that the protective layer shields the bridge from rain and other weather conditions, and repairing it now is essential to prevent moisture and salt from reaching the reinforced concrete in the future.

Croatian Roads added that, alongside renewing the protective coating, engineers will also address several minor issues identified during inspections, including isolated corrosion on parts of the steel structure and limited injection works on the lower sections of some pillars.

The Pelješac Bridge, which officially opened on 26 July 2022, is one of Croatia’s most significant infrastructure projects, connecting the country’s southernmost region with the rest of the mainland without passing through Bosnia and Herzegovina.