As Morski writes on the 28th of August, 2019, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure has announced the second major investment in the improvement of the port infrastructure in the function of coastal maritime transport, and the signing of a grant contract for the project entitled “the upgrading of Sali’s town port on Dugi otok”, the beneficiary of which is the Zadar County Port Authority.
”The project of upgrading Sali’s port on Dugi otok includes the extension of the existing port by re-constructing the coastline, arranging the coastal area along the newly built coastline, and creating a breakwater for protection against waves in order to increase the security of maritime traffic in the port of Sali,” announced Minister Oleg Butković, who is due to arrive in Sali on Thursday.
The aforementioned intervention will provide a year-round transportation service and enable a better connection between Dugi otok and the mainland, the minister said, and continued:
”The implementation of this project will enable the better quality of public maritime transport, greater passenger safety, long-term sustainability, the improvement of the general quality of life, better transport connections between the island to the mainland, greater mobility and a positive effect on economic development. Improving the quality of Sali’s port infrastructure will ensure the integration of Dugi otok into the wider transport network, which will boost local economic growth and positively affect the demographic picture, as well as the urban development of the island.
The objectives of the project are in line with local, regional, national and EU strategic documents in the transport sector, as well as with the operational program for competitiveness and cohesion (2014-2020),” explained Butković.
The total value of the project is an enormous 56,764,614.59 kuna, of which the EU contribution is 48,249,922.40 kuna, and Croatia’s national contributions amount to 8,514,692.19 kuna. The duration of the works is currently expected to be 52 months.
By signing this agreement, a total of 89,355,660.19 kuna will be invested in port infrastructure projects in Zadar County through EU funds, of which the EU contribution is a staggering 75,952,311.16 kuna, and the national contribution is an equally impressive 13,403,349.03 kuna.
”Zadar County has always been the intersection of numerous very important transport routes, supported by the current and planned investments of our ministry,” added the minister, then going on to announce:
”The project of construction of the Tkon ferry port on the island of Pašman is underway, which will improve communication and connection with the nearby islands, all public procurement procedures have been completed and the works are proceeding in accordance with the plans which have been set out. Investments were made in the port of Gaženica. Then, there’s the investment in the renovation of Liburnia Zadar’s fleet, where European Union funds co-financed the procurement of 25 new buses, which will be available to the citizens of Zadar as soon as in September 2019. In addition, as part of increasing road safety, we’re also investing in projects for solving black spots in Zadar County.
There are also plans to start upgrading, reconstructing and increasing the capacity of Zemunik Airport, and we’re currently in the process of preparing documentation for the future establishment of railway traffic between the City of Zadar, Gaženica port, and Zadar Airport.
The fact that the ministry is also focused on further investments in Zadar County’s transport projects, both nationally and through EU funds, speaks volumes about the importance of the realisation of all the above-mentioned projects. Therefore, today, we’re witnessing the beginning of the implementation of another significant project in Zadar County, which will more effectively connect the citizens of this county,” concluded the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Oleg Butković.
Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more.
