Ucka Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Učka Tunnel is a toll tunnel
on the A8 motorway in Croatia
. Being part of the Istrian Y
network in Istria
, it is 9.1 metres (29.9 ft) wide and 5062 m (16,607.6 ft) long, the third longest in Croatia after the Mala Kapela
and Sveti Rok
tunnels. The tunnel consists of a single tube, with two traffic lanes. Construction on the existing tunnel tube began in 1978 and it was opened for traffic on September 27, 1981. It is currently used for traffic in both directions. An additional tunnel tube is planned.
In a 2004 traffic safety testing by ADAC
, the Učka Tunnel shared the last place with Tuhobić Tunnel
, also from Croatia, being classified as a high-risk transportation utility. , the Tuhobić Tunnel has been upgraded to four lanes. However, no improvements have been made to the Učka Tunnel, causing a demonstration clogging the traffic at a tunnel entrance by Istrian biker
s. The fact that the tunnel bears a 28 kuna
(US$ 5.80) toll, unusually high for Croatian highways, and that its roadway is in a bad shape, drew criticism from Croatian newspapers.
Over 40 million vehicles have passed through the tunnel, with more than 2.7 million passing in 2007 alone. During the summer of 2008, on average 14,000 vehicles passed daily, prompting the highway concession
er BINA Istra
to start preparation of construction of the second tunnel tube. , 27 years have passed since the opening of the first tunnel and the traffic has increased sixfold, however the second tube is not yet built. In June 2011, BINA Istra announced that design documents are being prepared for construction of the second tunnel tube, and that construction is scheduled to start in mid-2012, estimating its completion in 2015.
The tunnel is run by BINA Istra, a consortium operating on a BOT
scheme, owning the highway in a concession from 1995 to 2027.
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...
on the A8 motorway in 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 ...
. Being part of the Istrian Y
Istrian Y
The Istrian Y is a highway complex in the Croatian highway network, consisting of section A8 Matulji-Kanfanar and section A9 Slovenia-Kanfanar-Pula. It is called the Istrian Y because it is shaped like the letter Y, with the three stretches all meeting at Kanfanar interchange in south central...
network in 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...
, it is 9.1 metres (29.9 ft) wide and 5062 m (16,607.6 ft) long, the third longest in Croatia after the Mala Kapela
Mala Kapela Tunnel
Mala Kapela Tunnel is the most significant structure on the Croatian A1 motorway route. As it is long , Mala Kapela Tunnel is the longest tunnel in Croatia. The tunnel is geographically located between villages of Jezerane and Modruš , and between Ogulin and Brinje motorway interchanges...
and Sveti Rok
Sveti Rok Tunnel
The Sveti Rok Tunnel is a highway tunnel in Lika, Croatia. It is long and it passes through the Velebit mountain. Sveti Rok Tunnel is located on a part of the between highway exits Sveti Rok and Maslenica on the A1 highway...
tunnels. The tunnel consists of a single tube, with two traffic lanes. Construction on the existing tunnel tube began in 1978 and it was opened for traffic on September 27, 1981. It is currently used for traffic in both directions. An additional tunnel tube is planned.
In a 2004 traffic safety testing by 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...
, the Učka Tunnel shared the last place with Tuhobić Tunnel
Tuhobic Tunnel
Tuhobić Tunnel is one of the most significant structures on the Croatian A6 motorway route. As it is long , Tuhobić Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the A6 motorway route. The tunnel is located at above sea level, connecting Gorski Kotar and Croatian Littoral regions...
, also from Croatia, being classified as a high-risk transportation utility. , the Tuhobić Tunnel has been upgraded to four lanes. However, no improvements have been made to the Učka Tunnel, causing a demonstration clogging the traffic at a tunnel entrance by Istrian biker
Motorcycling
Motorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. A variety of subcultures and lifestyles have been built up around motorcycling.-Benefits:Robert M. Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a paean celebrating motorcycling...
s. The fact that the tunnel bears a 28 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....
(US$ 5.80) toll, unusually high for Croatian highways, and that its roadway is in a bad shape, drew criticism from Croatian newspapers.
Over 40 million vehicles have passed through the tunnel, with more than 2.7 million passing in 2007 alone. During the summer of 2008, on average 14,000 vehicles passed daily, prompting the highway concession
Concession (contract)
A concession is a business operated under a contract or license associated with a degree of exclusivity in business within a certain geographical area. For example, sports arenas or public parks may have concession stands. Many department stores contain numerous concessions operated by other...
er BINA Istra
BINA Istra
BINA Istra is a Croatian joint stock company founded in 1995 to facilitate construction and subsequent management of a Istrian Y motorway, consisting of the A8 motorway and the A9 motorway. On September 21, 1995, BINA Istra has been granted concession regarding management of the Istrian Y...
to start preparation of construction of the second tunnel tube. , 27 years have passed since the opening of the first tunnel and the traffic has increased sixfold, however the second tube is not yet built. In June 2011, BINA Istra announced that design documents are being prepared for construction of the second tunnel tube, and that construction is scheduled to start in mid-2012, estimating its completion in 2015.
The tunnel is run by BINA Istra, a consortium operating on a BOT
Build-Operate-Transfer
Build-own-operate-transfer or build-operate-transfer is a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the private or public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility stated in the concession contract...
scheme, owning the highway in a concession from 1995 to 2027.