Podvugleš Tunnel
Encyclopedia
Podvugleš Tunnel is one of 13 tunnels found on the Croatian A6 motorway
route. Its tubes are 602 metres (1,975.1 ft) and 595 metres (1,952.1 ft) long. It is located between Vrbovsko
and Ravna Gora
interchanges. The tunnel is tolled
within the A6 motorway closed toll collection system
. There are no other toll plazas related to use of the tunnel. Various publications spell name of the tunnel as Podvugleš and Pod Vugleš, however the tunnel is signposted as Podvugleš Tunnel. Construction of the tunnel was completed by Konstruktor
.
and Mediteran Union Tunel. The construction works contract was cancelled in 2001, and the works were resumed by Konstruktor in 2002 after a new contract was awarded to them. Konstruktor completed the construction of the first tunnel tube by June 2003 and the second one in June 2007. The tunnel was executed using the New Austrian Tunneling method.
Construction of the tunnel was hindered by low air temperatures, dropping to -32 C. This was especially problematic as concrete plant used for the works was 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) away. Later, during execution of the secondary tunnel tube lining, the tunnel caved in due to a hydraulic failure of surrounding soil, caused by considerable inflow of meltwater. The failure affected a 6 metres (19.7 ft) section of the tunnel, and 400 cubic metres (14,125.9 cu ft) of rock and soil had to be removed to remedy the situation. The incident, however, caused no delay of completion schedule.
by 30 metres (98.4 ft) of motorway. In order to avoid occurrence of rapidly changing pavement conditions for traffic transiting from one of the tunnels to the other, a translucent cover was executed to protect the route between the tunnels. The cover is 66.18 metres (217.1 ft) long by 45 metres (147.6 ft) wide. It is supported by three rows of 11 metres (36.1 ft) tall concrete columns. The cover is designed to permit ventilation of the tunnels and use of emergency exits.
. Substantial variations between annual (AADT) and summer (ASDT) traffic volumes are attributed to the fact that the motorway carries substantial tourist traffic to Istria
and Kvarner Gulf
resorts. The traffic count is performed using analysis of toll ticket sales.
A6 (Croatia)
The A6 motorway is a motorway in Croatia spanning . It connects the nation's capital, Zagreb, via the A1, to the seaport of Rijeka. The motorway forms a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and is a part of European route E65...
route. Its tubes are 602 metres (1,975.1 ft) and 595 metres (1,952.1 ft) long. It is located between Vrbovsko
Vrbovsko
Vrbovsko is a town in western Croatia, situated at the far east of the mountainous region of Gorski kotar in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar county; on its 280 square kilometers area, Vrbovsko features 60 settlements and a total of 5,019 inhabitants...
and Ravna Gora
Ravna Gora, Croatia
Ravna Gora is a village in western Croatia, located between Delnice and Vrbovsko in the mountainous region of Gorski Kotar. It is the seat of a municipality whose total population is 2,439 , with 1,721 in Ravna gora itself and the rest in five smaller villages.-References:...
interchanges. The tunnel is tolled
Toll tunnel
A toll tunnel is a special road tunnel whose construction and/or maintenance costs are in part recouped through a toll charged for passing through it. In some instances, tolls have been removed after retirement of the toll revenue bonds issued to raise funds for construction and/or operation of the...
within the A6 motorway closed toll collection system
Ticket system
A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road (also known as closed toll collection system, as opposed to a flat-rate toll road, is utilized by some state toll road or highway agencies that allows a motorist to pay a toll rate based on the number of miles traveled...
. There are no other toll plazas related to use of the tunnel. Various publications spell name of the tunnel as Podvugleš and Pod Vugleš, however the tunnel is signposted as Podvugleš Tunnel. Construction of the tunnel was completed by Konstruktor
Konstruktor
Konstruktor inženjering d.d. is a Croatian construction company founded in 1945 as "Konstruktor-Split" in Split, Yugoslavia ....
.
Construction
Construction of Podvugleš Tunnel was started by Spie BatignollesSpie Batignolles
Spie Batignolles is a French construction company based in Neuilly-sur-Seine. The company provides building and infrastructure construction in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.-Company history:...
and Mediteran Union Tunel. The construction works contract was cancelled in 2001, and the works were resumed by Konstruktor in 2002 after a new contract was awarded to them. Konstruktor completed the construction of the first tunnel tube by June 2003 and the second one in June 2007. The tunnel was executed using the New Austrian Tunneling method.
Construction of the tunnel was hindered by low air temperatures, dropping to -32 C. This was especially problematic as concrete plant used for the works was 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) away. Later, during execution of the secondary tunnel tube lining, the tunnel caved in due to a hydraulic failure of surrounding soil, caused by considerable inflow of meltwater. The failure affected a 6 metres (19.7 ft) section of the tunnel, and 400 cubic metres (14,125.9 cu ft) of rock and soil had to be removed to remedy the situation. The incident, however, caused no delay of completion schedule.
Portal cover
Podvugleš Tunnel is separated from Javorova Kosa TunnelJavorova Kosa Tunnel
Javorova Kosa Tunnel is one of the most significant structures on the Croatian A6 motorway route. It is long and consists of two tunnel tubes. It is located between Vrbovsko and Ravna Gora interchanges. The tunnel is tolled within the A6 motorway closed toll collection system...
by 30 metres (98.4 ft) of motorway. In order to avoid occurrence of rapidly changing pavement conditions for traffic transiting from one of the tunnels to the other, a translucent cover was executed to protect the route between the tunnels. The cover is 66.18 metres (217.1 ft) long by 45 metres (147.6 ft) wide. It is supported by three rows of 11 metres (36.1 ft) tall concrete columns. The cover is designed to permit ventilation of the tunnels and use of emergency exits.
Traffic volume
Traffic is regularly counted and reported by Autocesta Rijeka–Zagreb, operator of the A6 motorway and the tunnel, and published 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...
. Substantial variations between annual (AADT) and summer (ASDT) traffic volumes are attributed to the fact that the motorway carries substantial tourist traffic to Istria
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
and Kvarner Gulf
Kvarner Gulf
The Kvarner Gulf ); sometimes also Kvarner Bay, in Italian Quarnaro or Carnaro) is a bay in the northern Adriatic Sea, located between the Istrian peninsula and the northern Croatian seacoast....
resorts. The traffic count is performed using analysis of toll ticket sales.
| Podvugleš Tunnel traffic volume | ||||
| Road | Counting site | AADT | ASDT | Notes |
| A6 | 3006 Vrbovsko west | 11,979 | 20,091 | Between Vrbovsko and Ravna Gora interchanges. |