Zagreb Council Proposes Intersection Widening to Ease Daily Traffic Chaos

Traffic in western Zagreb, specifically in areas like Gajnice, Vrapče, and Podsused, is frequently gridlocked. The intersection of Kovinska Street and Velimir Škorpik Street is a major bottleneck, experiencing severe congestion between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. as residents commute home.

This daily chaos not only frustrates drivers but also impedes the exit of vehicles from the ZET bus garage in Podsused. The situation is expected to worsen with the introduction of electric buses this summer, which will require more frequent departures throughout the day due to charging needs.

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Although changing the traffic light phase was proposed, which could potentially extend the phase for turning vehicles from Kovinska Street to the north, the Council believes such an intervention would not permanently solve the problem, given that the cause of the congestion is the undersizing of the intersection itself, not solely the signal organization.

The local council for Podsused-Vrapče district has proposed a permanent solution: widening the intersection and Kovinska Street to the west. They believe that simply adjusting traffic light timings would not resolve the underlying issue of the intersection's insufficient capacity.

Council members emphasize that this expansion should be a priority. They envision Kovinska Street potentially becoming a four-lane road with a tram corridor in the future, aligning with broader development plans for the area. The council's proposal aims to permanently eliminate afternoon congestion and ensure the smooth operation of public transport.

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The Council emphasizes that this intersection needs to be treated as a priority, as the congestion directly blocks the exit of vehicles from the ZET Podsused garage, which will become an additional complicating factor for public transport operations with the introduction of electric buses with all-day departures.