ROAD CONNECTING KRK BRIDGE & JADRANSKA MAGISTRALA OPENED

( Editorial: --> 5892 ) RIJEKA, July 6 (Hina) - Croatian Vice Premier Ljerka Mintas-Hodak on Saturday opened the newly-built section of a road connecting Krk Bridge and the Jadranska Magistrala expressway. The 1.4km-long section was designed and built as a two-track road for fast and heavy traffic. The work was carried out by the Krk construction firm, on the basis of a US$2.9million investment from Croatian Roads Administration and the local Primorsko-Goranska County. After this year's tourist season, preparations will begin for work on another connecting road, towards Krizisce, which will improve connections with the islands of Krk, Cres, Losinj and Rab. The construction of the connecting road is part of a very speedy development of the Croatian transport network, Mintas-Hodak said, pointing out that in the former Yugoslavia Croatian roads were either systematically neglected or built according to very poor technical standards. Croatia changed that situation by engaging in the past seven years in building and bringing up to date 80km of highways, 65km of semi- highways and 1,380km of regional roads and expressways, the Vice Premier said. A total of US$256million were earmarked for the road network in this years budget, with an additional US$66million from the budget revision, she added. It is also expected the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will grant a loan which will be invested in the advancement of 154km of state roads throughout Croatia, Mintas- Hodak said, emphasising the road network was the bloodline of Croatian economic development, especially tourism. Present at today's opening were Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications Minister Zeljko Luzavec, Croatian Roads Administration manager Aleksandar Caklovic, Primorsko-Goranska County prefect Milivoj Brozina, and representatives of local authorities. (hina) ha 061451 MET jul 98