RACAN: ZAGREB-SPLIT HIGHWAY MAY PASS ALONG OF GACKA VALLEY

ZAGREB, Nov 6 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Tuesday it was possible the section of the future Zagreb-Split highway running though the central region of Lika would pass along the Gacka Valley, which is a subvariant of variant B of the highway route. Racan made the statement at the government building, where a government commission in charge of the construction of the highway linking Croatia's north and south held a session. Members of the commission, said Racan, yesterday visited Lika and discussed the most suitable solution for the Gacka Valley with county officials. "The commission has reached agreement on a subvariant of variant B, which was assessed as the most suitable, and it is very possible the current talks on this option could be successful, which would help avoid unnecessary complications on that section that could jeopardise the entire project," Racan said. Racan explained that according to this subvariant, the highway would run along the Gacka Valley. The possibility that the highway might be built through the valley caused concern among local residents, who have supported E variant. The Mt Velebit variant (variant E) is not acceptable because the highway would climb onto the mountain, have a number of viaducts and cost 200-300 million kuna more, Racan said. The commission is also considering subvariants of variants A and B, which would take into account the financial side of the project as well as the factor of environment. We are close to finding an optimal solution, Racan said. Several days ago, a permanent Environmental Protection Ministry commission supported Variant E as the most suitable. All political parties in Lika-Senj County and local residents supported this variant as well. Racan heads the commission for the Zagreb-Split highway, which is discussing several items that must be solved so that the highway could be completed within planned deadlines. (hina) rml