Maslenica Bridge (D8)
Encyclopedia
The Maslenica Bridge is a deck arch bridge carrying the D8 state road
approximately 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) to the west of the settlement of Maslenica
, Croatia
and 500 m (1,640.4 ft) south of the D54
and D8 state roads junction.
Unfortunately, the bridge was destroyed by explosives on November 21, 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence
. Prior to its demolition it represented the last road link between Zagreb
and Split
left intact within the territory controlled by the government of the Republic of Croatia thereby being of immense importance.
, a pontoon bridge
was completed near the location of destroyed Maslenica Bridge in order to restore the road route linking the Croatian capital and Dalmatia
.
The bridge was executed atop barges and served as the only road link between Zagreb and Split (that did not require use of ferries or occupied territories) between 1993 and 1995. The pontoon bridge was repeatedly attacked by artillery causing occasional damage or even sinking of individual barges which were subsequently replaced. After 1995 and conclusion of the Croatian War of Independence the pontoon bridge lost some of its importance as overland routes became available.
started tender procedure regarding reconstruction of the Maslenica Bridge in its original form. The remains of the original bridge left over were pier foundations (some of them shifted or damaged) and the southern abutment. The reconstruction design was based on the original construction designs which were still available. All basic structural elements were left unchanged, while some changes were necessary due to changes to construction code implemented since completion of the original bridge. Most significant portion of those applied to earthquake safety. Overall width of the bridge increased from 9.4 m (30.8 ft) to 10.5 m (34.4 ft) and the piers and columns are reinforced. Furthermore roadway grade has changed somewhat and new types of safety railings are placed along the sidewalks. The reconstruction of the Maslenica Bridge was completed and the bridge opened on June 17, 2005.
The construction (or rather reconstruction) costs were 59.8 million Croatian kuna
, while removal of the remains of the original bridge required additional 2.2 million kuna
. At the opening ceremony it was declared that the reconstructed Maslenica Bridge shall also serve as an alternate route to be used during periods of strong wind at the nearby motorway bridge
.
The reconstruction works consumed 1,556 tons of concrete, 210 tons of reinforcing steel, and 209 cubic meters of stone cladding.
This bridge offers the highest bungee jumping
in Croatia (56 meters).
, was constructed in 1997 approximately 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi) away from the site of the original Maslenica Bridge it was given the same name, Maslenica Bridge
. Therefore both bridges are confusingly called both "old" and "new" Maslenica Bridge.
, operator of the state roads. There is no actual traffic count performed at the Maslenica Bridge itself, however Hrvatske ceste operate a counting station which covers a section of the D8 state road
adjacent to the D8 and D54
junction (to the north of the junction). Since the Maslenica Bridge is located only 500 m (1,640.4 ft) south of the junction, and no other D8 junctions are found between the two, the figure, even though not exact, is highly indicative of the traffic volume carried by the bridge.
D8 (Croatia)
D8 state road comprises Croatian section of Adriatic Highway, and it runs from Pasjak border crossing to Slovenia via Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Opuzen and Dubrovnik to the border with Montenegro at Karasovići. Most of the D8 state road is still a two-lane road, excepting rare four-lane...
approximately 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) to the west of the settlement of Maslenica
Maslenica
Maslenica is a port and village in Zadar County, Dalmatia, Croatia.Its geographical coordinates are 44°13'N, 15°32'E. It is situated in Novigrad Sea, the gulf of Novigrad. Waters are quite clear due to the Zrmanja river which flows into this gulf.- History :...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
and 500 m (1,640.4 ft) south of the D54
D54 (Croatia)
D54 is a state road in the northern Dalmatia region of Croatia that branches off from D8 state road, facilitating access to Obrovac and D27 state road which in turn facilitates bypassing both Maslenica bridges. The road is long....
and D8 state roads junction.
Structure
The bridge is 315.3 metres (1,034.4 ft) long, measured between the abutments, comprising a steel arch supporting a reinforced concrete deck executed as a continuous girder across 17 spans: 17.52 m (57.5 ft) + 2 x 19.71 m (64.7 ft) + 19.68 m (64.6 ft) + 7 x 17.52 m (57.5 ft) + 19.68 m (64.6 ft) + 4 x 19.71 m (64.7 ft) + 17.52 m (57.5 ft). The deck structure comprises a grillage consisting of the deck slab with longitudinal girders and cross-girders. The 0.25 m (0.820209973753281 ft) thick reinforced concrete deck slab is supported by the cross-girders set 2.19 m (7.2 ft) apart and the longitudinal girders set 8 m (26.2 ft) apart and made composite. The bridge piers and spandrel columns comprise hollow square cross-section. Size of the squares (edge) varies depending on height of the piers and columns from 650 mm to 850 mm, except for the columns at the springing which are 2300 mm (90.6 in) wide. The arch spans 155 m (508.5 ft), with an arch rise of 41.45 metres (136 ft). The arch comprises a box cross section and provides a 55 m (180.4 ft) clearance below the bridge.The first Maslenica Bridge
The original Maslenica Bridge was designed by Vojislav Draganić of Inženjerski Projektni Zavod (IPZ) between 1955 and 1960. By 1989, wear caused by heavy traffic and inadequate maintenance became significant, including cracks on the cross-girders and a pier. That led to a half-year long suspension of freight traffic across the bridge while it was repaired. The issues with the spandrel structure and the piers were remediated at that time by strengthening the pier and column cross-sections and by repairs to the cross-girder joints. During the summer of 1990, the bridge was once again in full operation, followed by another period of restricted use while the rehabilitation works were completed.Unfortunately, the bridge was destroyed by explosives on November 21, 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
. Prior to its demolition it represented the last road link between Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
and Split
Split (city)
Split is a Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its wide port bay. With a population of 178,192 citizens, and a metropolitan area numbering up to 467,899, Split is by far the largest Dalmatian city and...
left intact within the territory controlled by the government of the Republic of Croatia thereby being of immense importance.
Pontoon bridge
In July 1993, as control of the bridge general area was restored to the Republic of CroatiaOperation Maslenica
In early September, 1991, during the opening stages of the Croatian War of Independence, Serb-dominated units of the Knin Corps of the Yugoslav People's Army , under the command of Colonel Ratko Mladić and supported by the ethnic Serb Krajina militia, conducted offensive operations against areas...
, a pontoon bridge
Pontoon bridge
A pontoon bridge or floating bridge is a bridge that floats on water and in which barge- or boat-like pontoons support the bridge deck and its dynamic loads. While pontoon bridges are usually temporary structures, some are used for long periods of time...
was completed near the location of destroyed Maslenica Bridge in order to restore the road route linking the Croatian capital and Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
.
The bridge was executed atop barges and served as the only road link between Zagreb and Split (that did not require use of ferries or occupied territories) between 1993 and 1995. The pontoon bridge was repeatedly attacked by artillery causing occasional damage or even sinking of individual barges which were subsequently replaced. After 1995 and conclusion of the Croatian War of Independence the pontoon bridge lost some of its importance as overland routes became available.
Reconstruction of the Maslenica Bridge
In 2003 Hrvatske cesteHrvatske ceste
Hrvatske ceste is a Croatian state-owned company pursuant to provisions of the Croatian Public Roads Act , the county and local roads are managed by county authorities, while the motorways are managed by Croatian Motorways Ltd and other concessionaires.The company is currently administered by a...
started tender procedure regarding reconstruction of the Maslenica Bridge in its original form. The remains of the original bridge left over were pier foundations (some of them shifted or damaged) and the southern abutment. The reconstruction design was based on the original construction designs which were still available. All basic structural elements were left unchanged, while some changes were necessary due to changes to construction code implemented since completion of the original bridge. Most significant portion of those applied to earthquake safety. Overall width of the bridge increased from 9.4 m (30.8 ft) to 10.5 m (34.4 ft) and the piers and columns are reinforced. Furthermore roadway grade has changed somewhat and new types of safety railings are placed along the sidewalks. The reconstruction of the Maslenica Bridge was completed and the bridge opened on June 17, 2005.
The construction (or rather reconstruction) costs were 59.8 million Croatian kuna
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....
, while removal of the remains of the original bridge required additional 2.2 million kuna
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....
. At the opening ceremony it was declared that the reconstructed Maslenica Bridge shall also serve as an alternate route to be used during periods of strong wind at the nearby motorway bridge
Maslenica Bridge (A1)
Maslenica Bridge is a long reinforced concrete arch bridge spanning Maslenica Strait of the Adriatic Sea, north of Zadar, Croatia, carrying the Croatian A1 motorway. It is located between the Maslenica and Posedarje interchanges of the A1 motorway....
.
The reconstruction works consumed 1,556 tons of concrete, 210 tons of reinforcing steel, and 209 cubic meters of stone cladding.
This bridge offers the highest bungee jumping
Bungee jumping
Bungee jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord. The tall structure is usually a fixed object, such as a building, bridge or crane; but it is also possible to jump from a movable object, such as a hot-air-balloon or helicopter, that...
in Croatia (56 meters).
Naming confusion
As another, reinforced concrete arch bridge, carrying the Croatian A1 motorwayA1 (Croatia)
The A1 motorway is the longest motorway in Croatia spanning . As it connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to Split, the second largest city in the country and the largest city in Dalmatia, the motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the...
, was constructed in 1997 approximately 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi) away from the site of the original Maslenica Bridge it was given the same name, Maslenica Bridge
Maslenica Bridge (A1)
Maslenica Bridge is a long reinforced concrete arch bridge spanning Maslenica Strait of the Adriatic Sea, north of Zadar, Croatia, carrying the Croatian A1 motorway. It is located between the Maslenica and Posedarje interchanges of the A1 motorway....
. Therefore both bridges are confusingly called both "old" and "new" Maslenica Bridge.
Traffic volume
Traffic on the state roads in Croatia is regularly counted and reported by Hrvatske cesteHrvatske ceste
Hrvatske ceste is a Croatian state-owned company pursuant to provisions of the Croatian Public Roads Act , the county and local roads are managed by county authorities, while the motorways are managed by Croatian Motorways Ltd and other concessionaires.The company is currently administered by a...
, operator of the state roads. There is no actual traffic count performed at the Maslenica Bridge itself, however Hrvatske ceste operate a counting station which covers a section of the D8 state road
D8 (Croatia)
D8 state road comprises Croatian section of Adriatic Highway, and it runs from Pasjak border crossing to Slovenia via Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Opuzen and Dubrovnik to the border with Montenegro at Karasovići. Most of the D8 state road is still a two-lane road, excepting rare four-lane...
adjacent to the D8 and D54
D54 (Croatia)
D54 is a state road in the northern Dalmatia region of Croatia that branches off from D8 state road, facilitating access to Obrovac and D27 state road which in turn facilitates bypassing both Maslenica bridges. The road is long....
junction (to the north of the junction). Since the Maslenica Bridge is located only 500 m (1,640.4 ft) south of the junction, and no other D8 junctions are found between the two, the figure, even though not exact, is highly indicative of the traffic volume carried by the bridge.
| Maslenica Bridge traffic volume | ||||
| Road | Counting site | AADT | ASDT | Notes |
| D8 | 4803 Seline - south | 2,300 | 5,224 | Adjacent to the D8/D54 junction (to the north). |