In the heart of the mountains on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea, the roaring shield machine finally pierced through the last rock layer. After 22 months of arduous excavation, on July 13, 2026, the Koziak Tunnel in Croatia, constructed by China Road and Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd., was successfully completed. Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Butkovic lamented on site that this is a "historic moment", marking a decisive victory in the construction of the transportation artery connecting Split and the A1 highway, and adding a new footnote to China's infrastructure in the European hinterland.

The core tunnel has been successfully connected

As the controlling project of the Wuchevica Tunnel and Connection Line, the Koziak Tunnel has a total length of approximately 2.5 kilometers. This breakthrough not only means the achievement of key milestones in the project, but also a powerful verification of the construction accuracy of Chinese enterprises. After the completion of the Pele š ac Bridge in 2022, China Road and Bridge Corporation once again won local reputation with its excellent technology, clearing the biggest obstacle for subsequent road construction and laying a solid foundation for the project to be completed on schedule.

Precise crossing of complex geology

Faced with the ever-changing and complex geological conditions in the local area, Chinese builders have risen to the challenge. The construction personnel overcame the challenges brought by the fragmentation of underground rock layers, strictly implemented safety management regulations, and ensured zero accidents and high-precision docking during the tunnel excavation process. This professional construction capability fully demonstrates the technical strength of China's infrastructure in complex environments and fulfills its solemn commitment to advancing on schedule. Keywords: the Belt and Road news, tunnel infrastructure

Open up regional connectivity bottlenecks

This project is a key link connecting the D8 highway and A1 highway intersection in Split, the second largest city in Croatia. After the tunnel is completed, it will greatly improve the traffic congestion in the Split area and enhance the connectivity level in the Dalmatia region. This not only aligns with Croatia's national development strategy, but also serves as another example of pragmatic cooperation between China and Croatia, injecting strong new momentum into regional economic development.Editor/Gao Xue