An executive of the national road operator "Hrvatske Ceste", Jeroslav Segedin, explained that the purpose of the test pile is for the constructor to prove that it will satisfy the required quality and technology for the construction of the bridge.
In addition, we want to see whether the working schedule is according to that planned, he added. So far we are satisfied, particularly with the quality of construction of the piles that are arriving from China. Twenty-six are expected to arrive mid-January and a further 20 are waiting to be loaded, Segedin said.
Dubrovnik-Neretva County Prefect Nikola Dobroslavic concluded that with regard to what he had seen, the building company had the know-how and experience to successfully complete the project as agreed.
"This is an exceptionally important project for the county," he underscored, adding that the project is expected to be completed according to schedule in 2022, connecting Croatia's south with the rest of the country.
"Tenders have been advertised for access roads as well as a ring road around Ston," Dobroslavic said, listing a number of road projects planned for the county.
The value of the construction of the Peljesac Bridge and access roads is estimated at HRK 2.08 billion without VAT and a contract for its construction was signed on April 23 between Hrvatske Ceste and the Chinese consortium China Road and Bridge Corporation, with 85% of that cost to be covered by EU funds.