Veliki Gložac Tunnel
Encyclopedia
Veliki Gložac Tunnel is one of 13 tunnels found on the Croatian A6 motorway
route. It is 1126 metres (3,694.2 ft) long and consists of two tunnel tubes. It is located between Vrbovsko
and Bosiljevo 2
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. Construction of the tunnel was completed by Viadukt
and Hidroelektra.
European Tunnel Assessment Program (EuroTAP), a tunnel safety assessment program supported by the European Commission
, coordinated by FIA and led by German motoring club ADAC
, tested Veliki Gložac Tunnel in 2008, when it achieved very good results—ranking among the four safest road tunnels in Europe.
and Mediteran Union Tunel. The construction works contract was cancelled in 2001, and the works were resumed by Viadukt and Hidroelektra in 2002 after a new contract was awarded to them. Similar timeline of events also went on in case of Javorova Kosa
and Podvugleš
tunnels. The first, 1115 metres (3,658.1 ft) tunnel tube of Veliki Gložac Tunnel was excavated by Spie Batignolles and Mediteran Union Tunnel on August 29, 2000, while the second, somewhat longer, tube was excavated by Viadukt and Hidroelektra on November 25, 2005.
Construction of the second tunnel tube was particularly complex due to proximity of the first tunnel tube excavated in five years earlier. Since axes of the two are merely 25 metres (82 ft) apart, and an oil pipeline runs nearby, blasting entailed special precautions. Since the first tunnel tube was already in use, traffic had to be suspended three times a day to allow progress of the works. Initial blast yield was lower and then gradually increased in order to achieve optimum results while maintaining safety. Finally, noise and oscillations of the first tunnel tube and the oil pipeline were constantly monitored to detect any sign of damage. Rock blasting started on June 9, 2005 and lasted until August 15, 2005, with more than 220 charges fired. At each of those times, traffic through the first tunnel tube was suspended for safety reasons. The first tube of the tunnel, now carrying southbound traffic, is further characterized by the fact that it comprises three traffic lanes instead of standard two traffic lanes.
. 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. It is 1126 metres (3,694.2 ft) long and consists of two tunnel tubes. 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 Bosiljevo 2
Bosiljevo 2 interchange
The Bosiljevo 2 interchange |A6 motorway]] and it connects the A6 route to the A1 motorway between Bosiljevo 1 and Ogulin exits. The interchange is a part of Pan-European corridor Vb. It also represents a part of European route E65.- See also :...
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. Construction of the tunnel was completed by Viadukt
Viadukt
Viadukt is a Croatian company active in civil engineering, especially in fields of bridge, tunnel and road engineering. Other business activities of the company include building construction and reconstruction of urban streets....
and Hidroelektra.
European Tunnel Assessment Program (EuroTAP), a tunnel safety assessment program supported by the European Commission
European 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 Veliki Gložac Tunnel in 2008, when it achieved very good results—ranking among the four safest road tunnels in Europe.
Construction
Construction of Veliki Gložac 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 Viadukt and Hidroelektra in 2002 after a new contract was awarded to them. Similar timeline of events also went on in case of Javorova Kosa
Javorova 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...
and Podvugleš
Podvugleš Tunnel
Podvugleš Tunnel is one of 13 tunnels found on the Croatian A6 motorway route. Its tubes are and 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...
tunnels. The first, 1115 metres (3,658.1 ft) tunnel tube of Veliki Gložac Tunnel was excavated by Spie Batignolles and Mediteran Union Tunnel on August 29, 2000, while the second, somewhat longer, tube was excavated by Viadukt and Hidroelektra on November 25, 2005.
Construction of the second tunnel tube was particularly complex due to proximity of the first tunnel tube excavated in five years earlier. Since axes of the two are merely 25 metres (82 ft) apart, and an oil pipeline runs nearby, blasting entailed special precautions. Since the first tunnel tube was already in use, traffic had to be suspended three times a day to allow progress of the works. Initial blast yield was lower and then gradually increased in order to achieve optimum results while maintaining safety. Finally, noise and oscillations of the first tunnel tube and the oil pipeline were constantly monitored to detect any sign of damage. Rock blasting started on June 9, 2005 and lasted until August 15, 2005, with more than 220 charges fired. At each of those times, traffic through the first tunnel tube was suspended for safety reasons. The first tube of the tunnel, now carrying southbound traffic, is further characterized by the fact that it comprises three traffic lanes instead of standard two traffic lanes.
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.
| Veliki Gložac Tunnel traffic volume | ||||
| Road | Counting site | AADT | ASDT | Notes |
| A6 | 3022 Bosiljevo 2 west | 11,448 | 19,401 | Between Bosiljevo 2 and Vrbovsko interchanges. |