Tuhobic Tunnel
Encyclopedia
Tuhobić Tunnel is one of the most significant structures on the Croatian A6 motorway
route. As it is 2143 metres (7,030.8 ft) long (southbound tube), Tuhobić Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the A6 motorway route. The tunnel is located at 700 metres (2,296.6 ft) above sea level, connecting Gorski Kotar
and Croatian Littoral
regions. The tunnel is located between Vrata
and Oštrovica
interchanges.
Tunnel excavation started in 1996, and the first tunnel tube opened in 1997, along with some sections of Rijeka
–Zagreb
motorway. Since the motorway was initially executed as a semi-motorway, the second tunnel tube was not excavated for a decade — its construction started August 2006, excavation was completed in August 2007, and the completed motorway, including the second Tuhobić Tunnel tube was opened on October 22, 2008. The tunnel is tolled
within the A6 motorway closed toll collection system
. There are no other toll plazas related to use of the tunnel.
, coordinated by FIA and led by German motoring club ADAC
, tested Tuhobić Tunnel twice — once in 2004, when it achieved poor results, and once again in 2009 after implementation of EuroTAP safety recommendations. Unlike the first inspection, in the 2009 test, the tunnel ranked the second safest in Europe.
. 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. As it is 2143 metres (7,030.8 ft) long (southbound tube), Tuhobić Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the A6 motorway route. The tunnel is located at 700 metres (2,296.6 ft) above sea level, connecting Gorski Kotar
Gorski kotar
Gorski kotar is the mountainous region in Croatia between Karlovac and Rijeka. Together with Lika and the Ogulin-Plaški valley it forms Mountainous Croatia. Because 63% of its surface is forested it is popularly called the green lungs of Croatia or Croatian Switzerland...
and Croatian Littoral
Croatian Littoral
The Croatian Littoral is a geographical term that refers to the narrow coastal strip along the Adriatic Sea in Croatia extending from east the city Rijeka south to Karlobag...
regions. The tunnel is located between Vrata
Vrata, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Vrata is a village in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of Fužine municipality.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 309....
and Oštrovica
Oštrovica
Oštrovica is a location on the Rijeka-Zagreb motorway in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar county of Croatia, coordinates: .The Oštrovica-Kikovica section of the A6 motorway is known for being impacted by weather in the winter....
interchanges.
Tunnel excavation started in 1996, and the first tunnel tube opened in 1997, along with some sections of Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
–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...
motorway. Since the motorway was initially executed as a semi-motorway, the second tunnel tube was not excavated for a decade — its construction started August 2006, excavation was completed in August 2007, and the completed motorway, including the second Tuhobić Tunnel tube was opened on October 22, 2008. 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.
Safety
European Tunnel Assessment Program (EuroTAP), a tunnel safety assessment program supported by the European CommissionEuropean Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, coordinated by FIA and led by German motoring club ADAC
ADAC
The ADAC is Germany's and Europe's largest automobile club, with more than 17 million members in June 2010. It was founded on May 24, 1903 as "Deutsche Motorradfahrer-Vereinigung" and was renamed in 1911...
, tested Tuhobić Tunnel twice — once in 2004, when it achieved poor results, and once again in 2009 after implementation of EuroTAP safety recommendations. Unlike the first inspection, in the 2009 test, the tunnel ranked the second safest in Europe.
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.
| Tuhobić Tunnel traffic volume | ||||
| Road | Counting site | AADT | ASDT | Notes |
| A6 | 2915 Vrata west | 12,413 | 20,891 | Between Vrata and Oštrovica interchanges. |