Bridge Across Rijeka Dubrovacka, Croatia

The bridge across Rijeka Dubrovacka is situated on the western entrance to Dubrovnik, historical medieval town and one of the most known tourist destinations on the Adriatic coast in Croatia. It crosses sea-strait approximately 5 km deep. The existing road passes along the seashore so that increased traffic jeopardises the environment and prevents the development of tourism. The bridge comprises the main cable stayed bridge with composite superstructure and prestressed, concrete approach bridge. The main span of the bridge is 304,5 m. No piers were allowed in the water due to navigation constraints, resulting in one main bridge opening of at least 300 m. The vertical navigation clearance was set to 50 m. The works on the bridge started in 1990, before the war for Croatian independence, when west approach roads and the west-bank abutment were constructed. Works on the bridge construction started again in 1999 based on a modification of the original design.