Motorway 34 Years Long

Croatia is a small country, but many Croatians still have to confront that fact. One of the reasons for that was impression given to any Croatian trying to travel between two largest Croatian cities – Zagreb and Split – by car. Although those two cities are connected by asphalt road, the journey often represented epic adventure not so different from the experiences of 19th Century American pioneers and other intrepid individuals conquering continental distances. The connection between northern and southern Croatia was often at the mercy of elements.

Of course, there were attempts to alter that sorry state of affairs. In 1971 Savka Dabčević-Kučar (Savka Dabcevic-Kucar) and Mika Tripalo, Croatian Communist leaders, initiated the construction of motorway. After two of them fell from Tito's favour that initiative, together with anything they stood for, was associated with Croatian nationalism in 1970s and apparatchiks found all convenient excuses not to pursue with those grandiose plans. 1980s saw economic crisis, while 1990s saw war being fought exactly on the spots where the motorway had to be constructed. When the war ended, Tudjman had favoured building motorways connecting Zagreb with Europe rather with impoverished south. Only in 2001 Ivica Račan (Ivica Racan) made a final push that resulted in motorways being completed – or being widely perceived to be completed – yesterday.

Of course, that was just another excuse for major festivities, culminating in simultaneous open air concert in Zagreb and Split last night. There are very few occasions when Croatian dreams come reality, and Croatians took that opportunity.

And, needless to say, only later it will become apparent that the motorway isn't finished yet. Those travelling to Dubrovnik still has to use old Jadran Highway and this state of affairs will continue, thanks to problems with Bechtel, Miomir Žužul (Miomir Zuzul) and corruption allegations that postponed construction for at least a year.

But even more troubling is the fact that became apparent to those who monitor traffic on already finished sections of motorway. Most of those who use motorway are tourists. Croatians travelling on business prefer old roads and for one very simple reason – road toll is highest in Europe. That, combined with the petrol prices – which are likely to go up in near future - make the journey unacceptably expensive for the large majority of Croatians, who are more willing to sacrifice half a day of driving time and road safety for few extra kunas in their wallets.

Even the sweetest dreams aren't that sweet when those who dream them have to pay for them coming true.