Chinese-built Croatian bridge needs repairs after just four years

A vital bridge in Croatia, connecting the historic city of Dubrovnik to the Pelješac peninsula, is set for major repairs just four years after its inauguration. Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) at a cost of approximately 60 million euros, the 2.4-kilometer structure has developed cracks in the concrete layer of its pillars.

According to local reports, these fissures are allowing moisture to penetrate, which could eventually cause corrosion. The issue requires extensive renovation work, scheduled to begin in October and continue until next summer. However, traffic is not expected to be interrupted during the repair period.

Hrvatske ceste, the state-owned company managing the bridge, has assured that there are no structural damages or threats to the infrastructure's stability. CRBC will finance the necessary repairs, including addressing defects in the four abutments connecting the bridge's piles to its columns, under the project's 10-year construction defect warranty.

The bridge plays a crucial role in facilitating travel between Dubrovnik and the southern tip of Croatia. Previously, journeys were complicated by a 20-kilometer stretch of Bosnian-Herzegovinian territory, which lies outside the Schengen Area, causing significant delays for travelers.