New €250m bridge over Kaštela Bay to transform Split’s skyline

(Photo: Grad Split)

An award-winning architectural design for a major new bridge connecting Split and Kaštela has been unveiled, marking a significant step forward in one of the most important infrastructure projects planned for Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

The results of the architectural and technical design competition for the bridge across Kaštela Bay were presented at Split City Hall, where an exhibition of the winning proposals was also opened to the public.

The event was opened by Split mayor Tomislav Šuta and Croatian Roads (Hrvatske ceste) chairman Ivica Budimir, alongside Ante Kuzmanić, president of the competition jury.

Officials highlighted the bridge as a key project for the long-term development of the wider Split metropolitan area.

Strategic project for the Split region

Speaking at the presentation, Mayor Šuta stressed that the construction of the planned St. Domnius Bridge (Most sv. Dujma) represents a strategic infrastructure project that is now firmly underway.

He said the bridge would serve as a new entry and exit point for Split while providing a direct connection with the neighbouring city of Kaštela.

(Photo: Grad Split)

According to Šuta, the next phase involves preparing documentation and studies needed to secure permits, a process expected to take around three years before construction can begin.

The City of Split will work with Croatian Roads to develop the necessary access routes to the bridge, including connections via Domovinskog rata Street and Dubrovacka Street, forming part of a broader traffic solution designed to reduce congestion in the city.

€250 million project

Budimir confirmed that the bridge project is estimated to cost around €250 million, with the construction itself expected to take approximately three years once all permits are secured.

The planned bridge will stretch roughly 1,600 metres across Kaštela Bay and include four traffic lanes along with a dedicated path for pedestrians and cyclists. At its highest point, the structure will rise around 65 metres above sea level.

(Photo: Grad Split)

Budimir noted that while the project is technically complex, it is less demanding than the construction of the Pelješac Bridge. The new bridge is planned to start near the Metro area in Kaštel Sućurac and connect to the Split side near Stinice, where a flyover linking to Dubrovacka Street is planned.

Winning design selected

Five prize-winning entries were presented at the exhibition, with the first prize awarded to a joint team consisting of Zagreb-based Studio 3LHD and Slovenian engineering firm Pipenbaher Inženirji.

The design team was led by architects Marko Dabrović and Marjan Pipenbaher.

The second prize went to a Croatian–Chinese collaboration between Promovere and T.Y. Lin International, while third place was awarded to Split-based Porticus in partnership with Belgrade’s DB Inženjering.

Fourth and fifth prizes were awarded to teams led by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Slovenian firm Ponting.

(Photo: Grad Split)

Part of wider transport corridor

The bridge across Kaštela Bay forms part of the broader New Entrance to Split project, which includes the Vučevica interchange on the A1 motorway, the Kozjak tunnel, a junction on the Adriatic Highway (DC8), and links to the Port of Split ferry terminal.

Once completed, the bridge is expected to become a new visual landmark for Split while significantly improving connectivity between Split and Kaštela. It will also form part of the wider European TEN-T transport network.

(Photo: Grad Split)

The design competition was organised by Croatian Roads, the state company responsible for the national road network, with a total prize fund of €150,000.