Croatia is a beautiful country in southern Europe. It is very famous for its long coast, blue sea, and historic cities like Dubrovnik. But for many years, Croatia had a big problem. The country was split into two parts. A small piece of land belonging to another country, Bosnia and Herzegovina, sat in the middle. This piece of land is called Neum, and it gives Bosnia access to the sea.
To travel from the north of Croatia to the south, people had to cross two borders. They had to leave Croatia, enter Bosnia, and then enter Croatia again. This journey took a lot of time and required passports. In the summer, tourists and local people had to wait for hours in long lines at the borders.
In July 2022, Croatia opened a new bridge to solve this problem. It is called the Pelješac Bridge. The bridge is 2.4 kilometers long and 55 meters high. It connects the Croatian mainland to the Pelješac Peninsula. Now, people can drive from the north to the south of Croatia without leaving the country. The drive is now much faster and easier for everyone.
Building the bridge was a huge task. It took four years of hard work to complete. The project cost about 526 million euros. The European Union paid for eighty-five percent of the cost because it helps the whole region. A Chinese company built the bridge, and hundreds of workers from different countries worked together on it.
The opening of the bridge was a historic day for Croatia. There was a big celebration with music, fireworks, and many people. The Prime Minister of Croatia said the bridge is a dream come true for the nation.
This new bridge changes everything for travelers and local business owners. Before, truck drivers carrying fresh food or goods had to wait at the border for a long time. Now, they can deliver their goods much faster. Tourists can also travel to Dubrovnik easily. This helps hotels, restaurants, and shops in the south of the country.
The Pelješac Bridge is not only useful but also very beautiful. It looks like a long white line over the blue water of the Adriatic Sea. Many tourists now stop to take photos of the bridge before they drive across it. It has quickly become a famous new landmark for Croatia.
Would you like to travel across this new bridge on your next holiday?