Tuhobić Tunnel

Tuhobić Tunnel (Croatian: Tunel Tuhobić) is one of the most significant structures on the Croatian A6 motorway route. As it is 2,143 metres (7,031 ft) long (southbound tube), Tuhobić Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the A6 motorway route. The tunnel is located at 700 metres (2,300 ft) above sea level, connecting the Gorski Kotar and Croatian Littoral regions.[1] The tunnel is located between the Vrata and Oštrovica interchanges.[2]

Tuhobić Tunnel
Tunnel portal, variable traffic signs indicating traffic flow direction and speed limit enforced are visible at the tunnel entrance and to the side of the road
Tuhobić Tunnel is located in Croatia
Tuhobić Tunnel
Overview
Official nameCroatian: Tunel Tuhobić
LocationPrimorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia
Coordinates45°19′23″N 14°38′33″E
RouteA6
Operation
Opened
  • 1997 (1997) (first tunnel)
  • October 22, 2008 (second tunnel)
OperatorAutocesta Rijeka–Zagreb
Technical
Length2,143 metres (7,031 ft) (southbound tube)
Route map

Tunnel excavation started in 1996, and the first tunnel tube opened in 1997, along with some sections of Rijeka–Zagreb motorway. Since the motorway was initially executed as a semi-motorway, the second tunnel tube was not excavated for a decade — its construction started August 2006, excavation was completed in August 2007, and the completed motorway, including the second Tuhobić Tunnel tube was opened on October 22, 2008.[1][3][4] The tunnel is tolled within the A6 motorway closed toll collection system. There are no other toll plazas related to use of the tunnel.[5][6]

Safety

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 Tuhobić Tunnel twice — once in 2004, when it achieved poor results, and once again in 2009 after implementation of EuroTAP safety recommendations. Unlike the first inspection, in the 2009 test, the tunnel ranked the second safest in Europe.[7]

Traffic volume

Traffic is regularly counted and reported by Autocesta Rijeka–Zagreb, operator of the A6 motorway and the tunnel, and published by Hrvatske ceste.[8] 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.

Tuhobić Tunnel traffic volume
Road Counting site AADT ASDT Notes
A6 2915 Vrata west 12,413 20,891 Between Vrata and Oštrovica interchanges.

See also

References
  1. "Probijena druga cijev tunela Tuhobić" [The second Tuhobić Tunnel tube excavated] (in Croatian). Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure. August 9, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  2. Croatian Motorways. Hrvatske autoceste. 2007. pp. 362–363. ISBN 978-953-7491-09-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 18, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  3. Branko Nadilo (August 11, 2003). "Posljednje dionice na autocesti Rijeka - Zagreb" [The last sections of Rijeka - Zagreb motorway] (PDF). Građevinar (in Croatian). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  4. "Otvoren puni profil autoceste Rijeka-Zagreb" [Full cross-section of Rijeka-Zagreb motorway opens] (in Croatian). Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure. October 22, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  5. Damir Herceg (August 10, 2007). "Tunel Tuhobić probijen dva mjeseca prije roka" [Tuhobić Tunnel excavated two months ahead of schedule] (PDF). Vjesnik (in Croatian). Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  6. "Autocesta A6, Rijeka-Zagreb otvorena i puštena u promet u punom profilu" [A6 Rijeka-Zagreb motorway open for traffic as a full motorway] (PDF) (in Croatian). HUKA. November 1, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  7. "EuroTAP testiranje tunela: Sveti Rok dio europske elite" [EuroTAP tunnel test: Sveti Rok Tunnel as a part of European elite]. Hrvatski Autoklub. July 15, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  8. "Traffic counting on the roadways of Croatia in 2009 - digest" (PDF). Hrvatske Ceste. May 1, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2011.
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