August the 24th, 2026 – The future Drniš bypass will greatly benefit the local economy, as well as Šibenik Port directly.
The construction of the second and third phases of the complex Drniš bypass project has begun, with the client being Hrvatske ceste (Croatian roads), and the contractor being the consortium of Texo Molior from Cavtat and CGP Slovenia.
Transport Minister Butković pointed out that after securing the financial structure and signing the contract, work on the project is now starting. Sinisa Malus reports for Poslovni that he also noted that it is a technically complex intervention with a route that includes two overpasses, two viaducts and a bridge over the Čikola River. Speaking about the continuation of activities on the future Šibenik–Drniš–Knin expressway, Minister Butković highlighted that the preparation of project documentation for the section from Drniš towards the Oklaj interchange is in an advanced stage.
a 34 million euro investment
After the design of that phase is completed, a tender is planned to be issued, so the project is being gradually prepared for phased implementation. He also referred to the reconstruction of state roads DC56 and DC33, which connect the Drniš area with Split and Knin respectively, and whose total reconstruction value is around 34 million euros. After the design of that phase is completed, a tender is planned to be issued, gradually preparing the project for implementation.
“A tender has already been issued for one, the other is in preparation, so there will be a great deal of investment in road infrastructure here in the area of the town of Drniš and Šibenik-Knin County,” added Minister Butković. Šibenik-Knin County Prefect Paško Rakić stressed that the Drniš bypass is of great importance for the entire county, especially for the traffic connection of its hinterland, and that residents of the wider Drniš and Knin areas will use it.
“The Šibenik–Drniš–Knin expressway, as well as this bypass, is the backbone of Šibenik-Knin County in terms of traffic, and it is as important to us as the Pelješac Bridge,” emphasised Prefect Rakić. “This is historic for us,” emphasised Drniš Mayor Tomislav Dželalija, noting that generations of Drniš residents have waited decades for this project.
a massive development boost for the area
Expressing satisfaction that the works were ceremonially started today, he pointed out that the removal of transit traffic, along with increased traffic safety, will create additional preconditions for the expansion of the economic zone and the further development of the town. He added that the Government of the Republic of Croatia, through strong investments including road and railway infrastructure, is giving impetus to the town’s development, and thanked them for the projects being implemented in the Drniš area.
President of the Management Board of Hrvatske ceste Ivica Budimir emphasised that the project has a broader economic significance for Drniš, especially because of the direct connection of the industrial zone with the Šibenik port.
“After this road is constructed, the industrial zone in the entire Drniš area will develop significantly faster, better and to a higher quality, and become much more competitive,” emphasised Budimir. Speaking about the technical demands of the project, he added that almost ten percent of the route consists of viaducts, while the most significant structure is the large bridge over the Čikola River canyon, with a span of 220 metres, along with a series of other structures along the route.
