Plans are moving forward for an important project in northern Croatia, aimed at improving connectivity between the cities of Varaždin and Čakovec. The project involves the expansion of the existing state road and the construction of a brand new bridge across the Drava River - one of the longest tributaries of the Danube.

The project is set to cost around €90,000 including VAT (£76,800) and is expected to be completed within just one year. The new bridge will run parallel to the existing one, while the current DC3 road will be expanded into a four-lane route, stretching from Varaždin to the newly planned roundabout at Gornji Kušanec. The total length for the planned road and bridge infrastructure will be around 1.2 miles. 

Once completed, the current bridge will continue to serve vehicles travelling from Varaždin toward Nedelišće, while the new bridge will handle traffic in the opposite direction.

According to Bauštela.hr, a first conceptual design and location permit will be developed by a joint team led by Knap and Eptisa Adria, following a contract signed on April 8 with Hrvatske ceste (Croatian Roads). 

As there are dense urban developments on both sides of the existing road, the project will also involve the full reconstruction of the current route, as well as the addition of two new carriageways. 

Before work can begin, detailed planning and studies must be carried out, including an environmental impact assessment. That being said, the project has already receieved environmental approval from the Ministry, provided that all necessary protective measures are followed. 

Varaždin lies 50 miles north of the capital, Zagreb and is home to around 44,000 residents as of 2021. It is renowned for its baroque buildings, music, textile and IT industry. The impressive Varaždin Town Hall building was built in the Classicist style in 1793. Interestingly, Varaždin was actually the capital of Croatia for a short period of time in the 1750s, when Ban Ferenc Nádasdy chose the city as his official residence. 

Čakovec, meanwhile, is around 56 miles north of Zagreb and lies close to the borders with Slovenia and Hungary. It is the largest city of the Međimurje County and the most densely populated in Croatia. Arguably its most impressive feature is Čakovec Castle, a medieval fortification located in the Zrinski Park near the central square. Today it houses the Međimurje County Museum, the biggest in the country. Its atrium also hosts an outdoor theatre during the summer. 

This is not the only major infrastructure project underway in Croatia. A huge road infrastructure project near Solin in Dalmatia, Croatia, is steadily moving towards completion. 

The Mravince Interchange, located in the village of the same name, is part of the first phase of a major development aimed at easing traffic in the region, which is a town and suburb of Split, Croatia’s second-largest city.