The completed motorway is a four-lane road with a total length of 13.031 km, a cross-section of 27.00 m, and three interchanges in Lancova vas, Podlehnik, and Zaklo, as well as a service station on both sides of the highway named Podlehnik. The construction of the new motorway took place in two phases. The first phase involved the construction of the four-lane highway between Draženci and Podlehnik, while the second phase extended from Podlehnik to the Gruškovje border crossing. A total of 90 structures were built as part of the project, namely 7 overpasses (total length 1,092.20 m), 3 underpasses (total length 235.48 m), 2 underpasses (total length 56.99 m), 24 bridges (total length 890.17 m), 1 tunnel 105 m long, 22 major culverts (total length 663.71 m), 31 retaining and support structures (total length 1,719.29 m), and noise barriers with a total length of 8,415 m and a height ranging from 2.50 m to 4.00 metres.
Before the construction of the Draženci–MMP Gruškovje motorway section, all traffic travelled along the G1-9 main road through several settlements with a combined population of more than 7,000 people. The environment was burdened by noise emissions and polluted by lubricants, exhaust fumes, greenhouse gas emissions, soil and groundwater contamination, vibrations, and light pollution. With the constant growth in traffic volumes and the already constructed Slivnica–Draženci motorway section, traffic volumes toward the Gruškovje MMP have increased even further, particularly during the summer tourist season, when the main road’s capacity was severely exceeded (constant traffic jams).
The completed Draženci–MMP Gruškovje motorway is of great national importance, as it represents the missing link in the Maribor–Zagreb road corridor. The new highway has significantly improved transportation connectivity, reduced travel time, enhanced travel quality and traffic safety (the number of traffic accidents has dropped significantly), lowered noise emissions and harmful environmental impacts. The motorway also has a positive impact on regional development.
Following the construction of the Draženci–Gruškovje motorway section, most of the existing traffic has been diverted to the motorway. Driving on the motorway is smoother (with less braking and acceleration) and reduces the impact of noise and particulate matter pollution. Noise barriers were installed along the highway to protect residents of nearby communities. It is estimated that the environmental impact following the motorway’s construction is smaller and more controlled, which ensures better living conditions for the local population and increases traffic safety.
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