Croatia to construct a new bridge from the mainland to Krk Island

In order to manage the traffic congestion on the aging (opened on July 19, 1980) Tito Bridge, a new, larger bridge is being constructed from the mainland to Krk Island and is expected to be finalized until 2029. The new bridge will have four lanes, will be capable of accommodating railways on a secondary level and will provide direct access to the A7 highway.

The decision about this development stems from recent findings indicating that the bridge faces not only threats from storms and strong wind loads but also from salt corrosion. Over recent years, salt exposure has led to concrete degradation and cracking. Furthermore, the current Tito Bridge's capacity has been exceeded due to the expansion of the port terminal on Krk and the ever-growing traffic volume, necessitating the construction of a larger bridge. It is pointed out that the Tito Bridge is scheduled to remain operational alongside the new bridge, instead of being demolished.

Regarding the construction type of the new bridge, it is not determined yet. Furthermore, it is not decided if it will be a concrete or an entirely steel structure. A spokesperson of HAC board said that the bridge will feature two levels: the upper level will serve as a road, while the lower level will accommodate a railway line. It is described as a "box structure", indicating that despite serving a dual function, for railways and roads, the bridge may not necessarily be significantly wider than the current one. However, operating on two levels, it will be quite taller.

As the reports said, the existing reinforced concrete road bridge is planned to be supplemented by a second bridge in the future. It should be mentioned that the existing bridge is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 142 km/h while it is composed of two segments with the island of Sveti Marko being between them. The plans for the second bridge are confirmed by the Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Butković who stated that the need for a second bridge with railway tracks was already acknowledged two years ago during the renovation of the existing bridge.

According to Croatian authorities, the new bridge will not be situated in the same location as the current one. It will be situated approximately 1,800 meters south, near the Lanterna peninsula, which lies just 600 meters from the mainland, but the precise location of the bridge has to be finalized. As the HAC board announced, it is expected to be situated south of the current bridge, spanning from the eastern end of Črišnjeva Bay across the peninsula where the Maltempo Fortress is situated, connecting to Krk.