The Adriatic–Ionian motorway, also known as the Blue Corridor, is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Southeast Europe. Planned to extend nearly 1,600 km from Trieste (Italy) to Kalamata (Greece), it will connect seven countries: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.
For Croatia, the motorway represents both a continuation of the successful A1 project and a leap toward deeper European integration.
The Adriatic–Ionian motorway is not just a road — it is a strategic artery designed to bind Southeast Europe together, from Trieste to Kalamata.
Progress in Croatia
In Croatia, much of the Adriatic–Ionian motorway is already functional, as it overlaps with existing A1 and A7 motorways. Completed sections include Trieste–Rupa, Rupa–Rijeka, Rijeka–Ploče, and Ploče–Metković.
The unfinished southern stretches are the key challenge:
-
Metković → Dubrovnik: in construction, planned for completion by 2029.
-
Dubrovnik → Neum: in planning, targeted for 2030.
-
Neum → Trebinje (BiH): in planning, expected by 2032.
Once complete, Croatia will secure uninterrupted motorway connectivity along its Adriatic coast — a vision decades in the making.
Regional and European Significance
By closing the final gaps toward Dubrovnik and Trebinje, Croatia will cement its role as a vital link in the Adriatic–Ionian motorway.
Beyond Croatia, the motorway ties into European routes E65 and E61, and intersects with the Pan-European Corridor Vc in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This makes the Adriatic–Ionian motorway not only a Croatian priority but also a European transport backbone, driving trade, tourism, and regional cooperation.
The Adriatic–Ionian motorway is more than concrete and asphalt. It is a corridor of opportunity, linking cities, ports, and people along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. For Croatia and its neighbors, it symbolizes the promise of a more connected, accessible, and dynamic Europe.
Comments
Post a Comment