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A4 (Croatia)
Encyclopedia
The A4 motorway is a motorway in Croatia
spanning 96.4 kilometres (59.9 mi). It connects the nation's capital, Zagreb
, to the city of Varaždin
and to Budapest
, Hungary
via the Goričan
border crossing
. The motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and is a part of European routes
E65
and E71
. The A4 motorway route also follows Pan-European corridor Vb
.
Apart from Zagreb and Varaždin, the A4 motorway runs near a number of Croatian cities, and connects to the rest of the Croatian motorway network east of Zagreb. The motorway route was completed in 2008. The motorway's national significance is reflected in the positive economic impact
on the cities and towns it connects, as well as its importance to tourism in Croatia
. The genuine importance of the motorway as a transit route will be demonstrated upon completion of proposed expansion of Port of Rijeka
and Rijeka transport node, since the A4 represents an integral part of the Rijeka
–Zagreb–Budapest transport route.
As the route traverses hilly terrain, it requires a substantial number of viaduct
s and tunnel
s, as well as two major bridge
s to span the Drava
and Mura rivers. The motorway consists of two traffic lanes
and an emergency lane in each driving direction separated by a central reservation
. There are no emergency lanes in the tunnels. All intersections of the A4 motorway are grade separated
. As of October 2010, there are 12 exits and 3 rest area
s operating along the route. As the motorway is tolled
using a ticket system
, each exit includes a toll plaza. Exits south of the Sveta Helena mainline toll plaza have no toll plazas, as that part of the A4 route is not tolled. The same applies to the northernmost section between the Goričan exit and the Hungarian border
.
A motorway connecting Zagreb to Varaždin and Budapest was proposed in the early 1970s, but unlike the Zagreb–Rijeka or Zagreb–Belgrade
motorways, no construction was actually carried out. The first section of the road, later designated as the A4 motorway, was developed as a 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) two-lane road to serve as an interchange ramp in Ivanja Reka
. The majority of the entire motorway was built between 1997 and 2003, leaving only a 1.6 kilometre (0.994196378639691 mi) section between the Goričan interchange and the Goričan–Letenye border crossing left to build. The section was fully completed on October 22, 2008. In 1998, construction costs were estimated at 850 million German mark
s (€434.5 million). Although a 32-year concession
for development of the motorway was awarded to Transeuropska Autocesta d.d. (TEA) in 1997, Hrvatske autoceste took over development, maintenance and management of the route in 2000 when the concession was cancelled, leading to a dispute with Astaldi
, the majority owner of TEA.
connecting the nation's capital, Zagreb
, to the Hungarian
M7 motorway at the Goričan
border crossing. The southern terminus of the A4 motorway at the interchange in Ivanja Reka
represents its junction with the rest of the Croatian motorway network via the A3 motorway
. As a part of the road network of Croatia
, the motorway is a part of European route E65
and European route E71
. The motorway is of major importance to Croatia in terms of the development of its economy
, notably tourism
, as it represents the shortest and the most comfortable route between Budapest
, Hungary and the Adriatic Sea
. This particularly applies to tourist resorts on the Istria
and Kvarner Gulf
islands and to the Port of Rijeka
, but it is also true for resorts in the Dalmatia
region, served via the A1 motorway
. The genuine importance of the motorway as a transit route will be demonstrated upon completion of the proposed expansion of the Port of Rijeka and Rijeka transport node. This expansion is planned to encompass the growth of the Port of Rijeka's cargo handling capacity, improved railroad links and a new Rijeka bypass motorway linking the A6
, via a new interchange, to the present routes of the A7
and A8 motorways. The project is, among other goals, aimed to increase traffic along the Croatian part of Pan-European corridor Vb
, of which the A4 motorway is a part.
The motorway spans 96.4 kilometres (59.9 mi) between the Goričan border crossing to Hungary and Zagreb–Ivanja Reka interchange on the A3 motorway. Among other cities and towns, it connects to Čakovec
via the D20
, Ludbreg
and Koprivnica
via the D530
and D2
, Varaždin
via the D528
, Novi Marof
via the D22
, Vrbovec
and Bjelovar
via the D28 state roads and Dugo Selo
via the Ž3034 county road. Future development of the motorway will include additional rest areas and a possible expansion of interchanges. The A4 motorway consists of two traffic lanes and an emergency lane in each driving direction along its entire length, except in tunnels where there are emergency bays instead. All existing interchanges are trumpet interchanges, except in Ivanja Reka, which is a modified cloverleaf
. There is a number of rest area
s along the motorway, providing various types of services ranging from parking spaces and restrooms to filling station
s and restaurants. As of October 2010, the motorway has 12 interchanges, providing access to numerous towns and cities and the Croatian state road network. The A4 motorway is concurrent
with the D3 state road
between the Komin and Ivanja Reka interchanges, although the D3 is not signposted along that section. The motorway is operated by Hrvatske autoceste.
An automatic traffic monitoring and guidance system is in place along the motorway. It consists of measuring, control and signaling devices, located in zones where driving conditions may vary—at interchanges, near viaducts, bridges, tunnels and in zones where fog and strong winds are known to occur. The system consists of variable trafic signs used to communicate changing driving conditions, possible restrictions and other information to motorway users.
The A4 motorway runs through hills and plains crossed by a number of watercourses, requiring a number of bridges, viaducts and tunnels along the route. Particular attention to the environment is also required, due to the several water supply and natural heritage
zones.
based on the vehicle classification in Croatia
using a closed toll system
. As of October 2010, toll charged along the A4 route between the Sveta Helena and Goričan mainline toll plazas varies depending on the length of route travelled and ranges from 7.00 kuna
(€0.96) to 36.00 kuna (€4.93) for passenger cars and 22.00 kuna (€3.01) to 120.00 kuna (€16.44) for semi-trailer truck
s. The toll is payable in either Croatian kuna or euros using major credit cards, debit cards and a number of prepaid toll collection systems. The latter includes various types of smart cards issued by the motorway operator and ENC, an electronic toll collection (ETC)
system which is shared at most motorways in Croatia and provides drivers with discounted toll rates for dedicated lanes at toll plazas. The northernmost section of the motorway, between the border and Goričan interchange (inclusive) is not tolled. Similarly, the southernmost part of the A4 motorway route, located between Sveta Helena and Ivanja Reka interchanges (inclusive) is also toll-free, as it is a part of the Zagreb bypass
, which services a significant volume of traffic.
section route runs through hilly landscape requiring a number of viaducts and tunnels, especially along the Breznički Hum–Novi Marof
section and around the Varaždinske Toplice
exit. Each comprises four traffic lanes, while the viaducts have emergency lanes. Two most notable structures are the Hrastovec and Vrtlinovec tunnels, located to the south and north of the exit, respectively. Both of the tunnels consist of two tubes each, and each of them carry two traffic lanes. The Hrastovec Tunnel tubes are unequal in length, as the southbound tube is 498 metres (1,633.9 ft) long, while the northbound tube is 523 metres (1,715.9 ft) long. The Vrtlinovec Tunnel southbound tube is 628 metres (2,060.4 ft) long and its northbound tube is 522 metres (1,712.6 ft) long, earning the distinction of being the longest tunnel on the A4 route. There are two major bridges on the A4 motorway, both of them located north of Varaždin. The longest one is the Drava Bridge, carrying the motorway across the Drava River
, measuring 507.7 metres (1,665.7 ft) long. There is also the Zrinski Bridge
, carrying the A4 motorway across Mur River and across the Croatia–Hungary border, thus representing the northern terminus of the motorway, where northbound A4 traffic defaults to the Hungarian M7 motorway towards Nagykanizsa and Budapest. The 216 metres (708.7 ft) Zrinski Bridge was the final structure completed on the route. Both the Drava and Mura bridges carry six motorway lanes.
motorways, no construction was carried out. Although the first section of the route, now designated as the A4 motorway, was completed in 1980, development for the motorway was proposed once again in 1991 to facilitate links between the Varaždin area, Zagreb and the remainder of the Croatian motorway network. The route was added to the network of Pan-European transport corridors in June 1997, during the third Pan-European Transport Conference in Helsinki
, and on August 7, 1997, the government of the Republic of Croatia decided to establish the Autocesta Rijeka–Zagreb–Goričan company and award it a 28-year concession
to develop, operate and maintain the route as a six-lane motorway. The route consisted of the entire Croatian section of the Pan-European corridor Vb except for 20.8 kilometres (12.9 mi) of the Lučko
–Ivanja Reka section of the A3 motorway, which was already in use as a part of Zagreb bypass.
Later that same year, on May 14, 1998, the government signed an agreement with Astaldi
, regulating construction of the Zagreb Goričan motorway by 2000. On December 11, 1997, pursuant to the agreement, the government established the Autocesta Rijeka–Zagreb company to take the place of the Autocesta Rijeka–Zagreb–Goričan company, and awarded it the 28-year concession to develop, maintain and operate the Zagreb–Rijeka motorway, effectively excluding the Zagreb–Goričan motorway from the original concession. At the same time, the Transeuropska autocesta d.o.o. (TEA) company was established by the government and awarded concession for development, operation and maintenance of the Zagreb–Goričan motorway. Astaldi owned 51% of TEA, with the remainder owned by the Republic of Croatia. TEA was to secure financing of the project in 1998. Construction began as scheduled; however, financial and legal problems ensued, and by 1999, the press speculated that Astaldi had given up the project, but Astaldi repeatedly denied these claims. Ultimately, the government cancelled the contract and ceded the motorway to Croatian Roads Administration (ancestor of Hrvatske autoceste and Hrvatske ceste
), leading Astaldi to turn to the commercial arbitration court in Vienna, which ruled in its favour. The Republic of Croatia was subsequently required to pay Astaldi 44.3 million euro in damages.
In 1980, the 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) Popovec
–Ivanja Reka section was the first part of the A4 motorway to be built, as a semi-motorway, for the new Ivanja Reka interchange on the motorway, later designated A3. The first section completed was the 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) Goričan–Čakovec section, opened to traffic in 1997, followed by the 22.4 kilometres (13.9 mi) Komin–Popovec and the 15.58 kilometres (9.7 mi) Čakovec–Varaždin sections, completed in 1998. In 2000, the 12.3 kilometres (7.6 mi) Breznički Hum–Komin section was finished, and in 2003, the motorway route was nearly completed as the 23.25 kilometres (14.4 mi) Varaždin–Breznički Hum section and the second carriageway in the Popovec–Ivanja Reka section were built. The final 1.6 kilometre (0.994196378639691 mi) section between the Goričan exit and the Hungarian border opened on October 22, 2008, the same day the final section of the A6 motorway was finalised, marking completion of the Budapest–Zagreb–Rijeka motorway.
volume is often recorded in the Sveta Helena–Komin section, although all sections between Sveta Helena and Varaždin display similar AADT. AADT data for sections north of Varaždin show considerable drops in traffic volume. As the motorway traffic volume is measured through analysis of toll ticket sales, the southernmost section of the motorway, Ivanja Reka–Sveta Helena, is not included in the report. However, since the section is a part of the Zagreb bypass
, it carries significantly heavier traffic than any other sections of the A4 motorway—in 2004, traffic volume along the toll-free section of the A4 motorway was approximately 24,000 vehicles per day (AADT) between the Kraljevečki Novaki
and Sveta Helena interchanges and nearly 41,000 vehicles per day between the Kraljevečki Novaki and Ivanja Reka interchanges. Traffic volume measured on the Ivanja Reka–Ivanić Grad section of the A3 motorway increased by 30%, hinting at a similar increase in traffic volume on the A4 route south of Sveta Helena.
Variations between AADT and average summer daily traffic (ASDT) traffic volumes are attributed to the fact that the motorway carries substantial tourist traffic to the Adriatic Sea resorts. On average, the tolled section of the A4 motorway carries 75% more ASDT than AADT. The largest increase of the ASDT relative to the AADT is observed on the Čakovec–Goričan section: 215%.
The primary motorway operator, Hrvatske autoceste (HAC), leases the A, B and C type rest areas to various operators through public tenders. As of October 2010, there are two such rest area operators on the A4 motorway: INA and OMV
. The rest area operators are not permitted to sub-lease the fuel operations. The A4 motorway rest areas are accessible from both directions of the motorway and operate operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;" colspan="5"| List of A4 motorway rest areas
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;"
|| County
|| km
|| Name
|| Operators
|| Notes
|-
| rowspan=2|Varaždin
| 26.9
| Varaždin
| HAC
| Facilities found at Varaždin rest area comprise parking area only.
|-
| 44.7
| Ljubešćica
| INA
| Facilities found at Ljubešćica rest area comprise a filling station selling petrol and diesel fuel, a café and restrooms.
|-
| City of Zagreb
| 86.3
| Sesvete
| OMV
| Facilities found at Sesvete rest area comprise a filling station selling petrol and diesel fuel, a restaurant, a café and restrooms.
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;"
!scope="col"|County
!scope="col"|km
!scope="col"|Exit
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Destination
!scope="col"|Notes
|-
| rowspan=4 |Međimurje
| style="background:#dfd;"|0.0
| style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|Goričan border crossing
| style="background:#dfd;"| M7
| style="background:#dfd;"|Goričan border crossing
to Hungary
The motorway extends as Hungarian M7
motorway towards Nagykanizsa and Budapest
.
The northern terminus of European routes E65/E71 concurrency
The northern terminus of the motorway
|-
| 2.8
| align=center | 1
| Goričan
|
| Connection to Goričan
|-
| 4.7
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Goričan toll plaza
|-
| 16.9
| align=center | 2
| Čakovec
|
| Connection to Čakovec and Prelog
|-
| rowspan=10 |Varaždin
| 23.1
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|Drava River Bridge
|-
| 25.0
| align=center | 3
| Ludbreg
|
| Connection to Varaždin and Lubreg via D2
state road
|-
| 26.9
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Varaždin rest area
|-
| 32.7
| align=center | 4
| Varaždin
|
| Connection to Varaždin via D3
state road and to D2
state road junction west of Varaždin
|-
| 36.9
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|Vrtlinovec Tunnel
|-
| 38.6
| align=center | 5
| Varaždinske Toplice
|
| Connection to Varaždinske Toplice and to D24
state road
|-
| 39.2
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|Hrastovec Tunnel
|-
| 44.7
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Ljubešćica rest area
|-
| 47.0
| align=center | 6
| Novi Marof
|
| Connection to Novi Marof and Križevci via D22
state road
|-
| 56.6
| align=center | 7
| Breznički Hum
|
| Connection to Breznički Hum
|-
| rowspan=3 |Zagreb County
| 68.8
| align=center | 8
| Komin
|
| Connection to Komin
|-
| 77.2
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Sveta Helena toll plaza
|-
| 79.2
| align=center | 9
| Sveta Helena
|
| Connection to Vrbovec
and Bjelovar
via D28 expressway.
Future connection to A12
motorway (planned).
Connection to Rakovec, Sveta Helena and Donja Zelina
(D3
) (via the Ž3016)
The eastern terminus of Zagreb bypass
.
|-
| rowspan=3 |City of Zagreb
| 86.3
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Sesvete rest area
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|90.4
| style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| 10
| style="background:#dfd;"|Popovec
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|Connection to Popovec and Soblinec
(D29
)
The northern terminus of concurrency
of the A4 motorway and the D3 state road.
|-
| 93.6
| style="text-align:center;"| 11
| Kraljevečki Novaki
|
| Connection to Sesvete
and Dugo Selo
|-
| Zagreb County
| style="background:#dfd;"|96.4
| style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| 12
| style="background:#dfd;"|Ivanja Reka
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|Connection to Zagreb
via Slavonska Avenue
(Ž1035, to the west), Slavonski Brod
(eastbound A3
) as well as A11
, A1
, A2
motorways, southern and western Zagreb bypass
exits, Samobor
and Slovenia
(westbound A3
).
The southern terminus of European routes E65/E71 concurrency
The southern terminus of D3 state road concurrency
The southern terminus of the motorway. Southbound A4 traffic defaults to westbound A3 motorway.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
spanning 96.4 kilometres (59.9 mi). It connects the nation's capital, Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, to the city of Varaždin
Varaždin
Varaždin is a city in north Croatia, north of Zagreb on the highway A4. The total population is 47,055, with 38,746 on of the city settlement itself . The centre of Varaždin county is located near the Drava river, at...
and to Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
via the Goričan
Gorican
Goričan is a municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia.Goričan is the only village belonging to the municipality. Its population in the 2001 census was 3,148. Of the entire population, 3,088 people identified themselves as Croats....
border crossing
Border Crossing
Border Crossing may refer to:* Border Crossing , an album by saxophonist Mike Osborne.* Border Crossing , a UK hip hop collective musical group.* Border Crossing , a 2001 novel by English author Pat Barker....
. The motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and is a part of European routes
International E-road network
The international E-road network is a numbering system for roads in Europe developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe . The network is numbered from E 1 up and its roads cross national borders...
E65
European route E65
European route E 65 is a north-south Class-A European route that begins in Malmö, Sweden and ends in Chaniá, Greece. The road is about in length.-Itinerary:* Sweden** E 65: Malmö – Ystad* Baltic sea, ferry Ystad-Świnoujście* Poland...
and E71
European route E71
European route E 71 is a north-south Class-A intermediate European road route. It begins in Košice, Slovakia, passes through Budapest in Hungary, Zagreb in Croatia and Bihać in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ends at Split in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea coast. The total length of the route is...
. The A4 motorway route also follows Pan-European corridor Vb
Pan-European corridors
The ten Pan-European transport corridors were defined at the second Pan-European transport Conference in Crete, March 1994, as routes in Central and Eastern Europe that required major investment over the next ten to fifteen years. Additions were made at the third conference in Helsinki in 1997...
.
Apart from Zagreb and Varaždin, the A4 motorway runs near a number of Croatian cities, and connects to the rest of the Croatian motorway network east of Zagreb. The motorway route was completed in 2008. The motorway's national significance is reflected in the positive economic impact
Economy of Croatia
Economy of Croatia is a service-based economy with the tertiary sector accounting for 70% of total gross domestic product . Croatian GDP in 2010 was 335.5 billion Croatian Kuna and contracted by 1.4% year-on-year...
on the cities and towns it connects, as well as its importance to tourism in Croatia
Tourism in Croatia
Tourism in Croatia is a well-developed industry. Many tourists visit to experience the country's extensive coastline and well-preserved coastal Renaissance towns...
. The genuine importance of the motorway as a transit route will be demonstrated upon completion of proposed expansion of Port of Rijeka
Port of Rijeka
The Port of Rijeka is a seaport in Rijeka, Croatia, located on the shore of the Kvarner Gulf in the Adriatic Sea. The first records of the port date to 1281. It was the main port of the Kingdom of Hungary in the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, of Yugoslavia between World War II...
and Rijeka transport node, since the A4 represents an integral part of the Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
–Zagreb–Budapest transport route.
As the route traverses hilly terrain, it requires a substantial number of viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
s and tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
s, as well as two major bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
s to span the Drava
Drava
Drava or Drave is a river in southern Central Europe, a tributary of the Danube. It sources in Toblach/Dobbiaco, Italy, and flows east through East Tirol and Carinthia in Austria, into Slovenia , and then southeast, passing through Croatia and forming most of the border between Croatia and...
and Mura rivers. The motorway consists of two traffic lanes
Lane
A lane is a part of the roadway within a road marked out for use by a single line of vehicles in such a way as to control and guide drivers for the purpose of reducing traffic conflicts. Most public roads have at least two lanes, one for traffic in each direction, separated by Lane markings...
and an emergency lane in each driving direction separated by a central reservation
Central reservation
On divided roads, such as divided highways or freeways/motorways, the central reservation , median, parkway , median strip or central nature strip is the area which separates opposing lanes of traffic...
. There are no emergency lanes in the tunnels. All intersections of the A4 motorway are grade separated
Grade separation
Grade separation is the method of aligning a junction of two or more transport axes at different heights so that they will not disrupt the traffic flow on other transit routes when they cross each other. The composition of such transport axes does not have to be uniform; it can consist of a...
. As of October 2010, there are 12 exits and 3 rest area
Rest area
A rest area, travel plaza, rest stop, or service area is a public facility, located next to a large thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or freeway at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting on to secondary roads...
s operating along the route. As the motorway is tolled
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
using a ticket system
Ticket system
A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road (also known as closed toll collection system, as opposed to a flat-rate toll road, is utilized by some state toll road or highway agencies that allows a motorist to pay a toll rate based on the number of miles traveled...
, each exit includes a toll plaza. Exits south of the Sveta Helena mainline toll plaza have no toll plazas, as that part of the A4 route is not tolled. The same applies to the northernmost section between the Goričan exit and the Hungarian border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
.
A motorway connecting Zagreb to Varaždin and Budapest was proposed in the early 1970s, but unlike the Zagreb–Rijeka or Zagreb–Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
motorways, no construction was actually carried out. The first section of the road, later designated as the A4 motorway, was developed as a 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) two-lane road to serve as an interchange ramp in Ivanja Reka
Ivanja Reka
Ivanja Reka is a neighborhood located in the eastern part of the Peščenica - Žitnjak city district of Zagreb, Croatia. The population is 2,034....
. The majority of the entire motorway was built between 1997 and 2003, leaving only a 1.6 kilometre (0.994196378639691 mi) section between the Goričan interchange and the Goričan–Letenye border crossing left to build. The section was fully completed on October 22, 2008. In 1998, construction costs were estimated at 850 million German mark
German mark
The Deutsche Mark |mark]], abbreviated "DM") was the official currency of West Germany and Germany until the adoption of the euro in 2002. It is commonly called the "Deutschmark" in English but not in German. Germans often say "Mark" or "D-Mark"...
s (€434.5 million). Although a 32-year concession
Concession (contract)
A concession is a business operated under a contract or license associated with a degree of exclusivity in business within a certain geographical area. For example, sports arenas or public parks may have concession stands. Many department stores contain numerous concessions operated by other...
for development of the motorway was awarded to Transeuropska Autocesta d.d. (TEA) in 1997, Hrvatske autoceste took over development, maintenance and management of the route in 2000 when the concession was cancelled, leading to a dispute with Astaldi
Astaldi
Astaldi SpA is a major construction company based in Rome, Italy. The group is active in the fields of civil, hydraulic, electromechanical and environmental engineering, and transportation and infrastructure.-History:...
, the majority owner of TEA.
Route description
The A4 motorway is a significant north–south motorway in the northern CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
connecting the nation's capital, Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, to the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
M7 motorway at the Goričan
Gorican
Goričan is a municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia.Goričan is the only village belonging to the municipality. Its population in the 2001 census was 3,148. Of the entire population, 3,088 people identified themselves as Croats....
border crossing. The southern terminus of the A4 motorway at the interchange in Ivanja Reka
Ivanja Reka interchange
The Ivanja Reka interchange is a cloverleaf interchange east of Zagreb, Croatia. The interchange represents the southern terminus of the A4 motorway and it connects the A4 route to the A3 motorway representing major a link in the Croatian motorway system. The interchange is a part of Pan-European...
represents its junction with the rest of the Croatian motorway network via the A3 motorway
A3 (Croatia)
The A3 motorway is a major motorway in Croatia spanning . The motorway connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to the Slavonia region and a number of cities along the Sava River. It represents a major east–west transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the Pan-European Corridor...
. As a part of the road network of Croatia
Highways in Croatia
Highways in Croatia are the main transport network in Croatia.The Croatian classification includes several classes of highways:* The main motorways are named A accompanied by one or two digits...
, the motorway is a part of European route E65
European route E65
European route E 65 is a north-south Class-A European route that begins in Malmö, Sweden and ends in Chaniá, Greece. The road is about in length.-Itinerary:* Sweden** E 65: Malmö – Ystad* Baltic sea, ferry Ystad-Świnoujście* Poland...
and European route E71
European route E71
European route E 71 is a north-south Class-A intermediate European road route. It begins in Košice, Slovakia, passes through Budapest in Hungary, Zagreb in Croatia and Bihać in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ends at Split in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea coast. The total length of the route is...
. The motorway is of major importance to Croatia in terms of the development of its economy
Economy of Croatia
Economy of Croatia is a service-based economy with the tertiary sector accounting for 70% of total gross domestic product . Croatian GDP in 2010 was 335.5 billion Croatian Kuna and contracted by 1.4% year-on-year...
, notably tourism
Tourism in Croatia
Tourism in Croatia is a well-developed industry. Many tourists visit to experience the country's extensive coastline and well-preserved coastal Renaissance towns...
, as it represents the shortest and the most comfortable route between Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary and the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
. This particularly applies to tourist resorts on the Istria
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
and Kvarner Gulf
Kvarner Gulf
The Kvarner Gulf ); sometimes also Kvarner Bay, in Italian Quarnaro or Carnaro) is a bay in the northern Adriatic Sea, located between the Istrian peninsula and the northern Croatian seacoast....
islands and to the Port of Rijeka
Port of Rijeka
The Port of Rijeka is a seaport in Rijeka, Croatia, located on the shore of the Kvarner Gulf in the Adriatic Sea. The first records of the port date to 1281. It was the main port of the Kingdom of Hungary in the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, of Yugoslavia between World War II...
, but it is also true for resorts in the Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
region, served via the A1 motorway
A1 (Croatia)
The A1 motorway is the longest motorway in Croatia spanning . As it connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to Split, the second largest city in the country and the largest city in Dalmatia, the motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the...
. The genuine importance of the motorway as a transit route will be demonstrated upon completion of the proposed expansion of the Port of Rijeka and Rijeka transport node. This expansion is planned to encompass the growth of the Port of Rijeka's cargo handling capacity, improved railroad links and a new Rijeka bypass motorway linking the A6
A6 (Croatia)
The A6 motorway is a motorway in Croatia spanning . It connects the nation's capital, Zagreb, via the A1, to the seaport of Rijeka. The motorway forms a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and is a part of European route E65...
, via a new interchange, to the present routes of the A7
A7 (Croatia)
The A7 motorway is a long motorway in Croatia. It connects the nation's largest port in Rijeka, to the Croatian motorway network, as well as to the Rupa and Pasjak border crossings to Slovenia. The motorway forms part of a longitudinal transportation corridor in Croatia, and it is a part of...
and A8 motorways. The project is, among other goals, aimed to increase traffic along the Croatian part of Pan-European corridor Vb
Pan-European corridors
The ten Pan-European transport corridors were defined at the second Pan-European transport Conference in Crete, March 1994, as routes in Central and Eastern Europe that required major investment over the next ten to fifteen years. Additions were made at the third conference in Helsinki in 1997...
, of which the A4 motorway is a part.
The motorway spans 96.4 kilometres (59.9 mi) between the Goričan border crossing to Hungary and Zagreb–Ivanja Reka interchange on the A3 motorway. Among other cities and towns, it connects to Čakovec
Cakovec
Čakovec is a city in northern Croatia, located around 90 kilometres north of Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Čakovec is both the county seat and largest city of Međimurje County, the northernmost, smallest and most densely populated Croatian county.-Population:...
via the D20
D20 (Croatia)
D20 is a state road in Međimurje and Podravina regions of Croatia connecting Drnje and nearby Gola border crossing to Hungary to the D3 state road near Čakovec, and the road also serves as a connecting road to the A4 motorway as it forms a junction with the A4 Čakovec interchange...
, Ludbreg
Ludbreg
Ludbreg is a town in Croatia, located halfway between Varaždin and Koprivnica near the river Drava. It has 3,594 inhabitants, and a total of 8,458 in the entire municipality .-History:...
and Koprivnica
Koprivnica
Koprivnica is a city in northern Croatia. It is the capital of the Koprivnica-Križevci county. In 2011 the city administrative area had a total population of 30,872, with 23,896 in the city itself.-Population:...
via the D530
D530 (Croatia)
D530 connects the A4 motorway Ludbreg interchange to the D2 state road, near village of Zamlaka providing access to the motorway from Koprivnica, Ludbreg and Varaždin...
and D2
D2 (Croatia)
D2 state road is a trunk state road in the northern areas of Croatia that spans from the border crossing with Slovenia at Dubrava Križovljanska in the west via Varaždin, Koprivnica, Virovitica, Našice, Osijek, Vukovar, ending in Ilok at the border crossing with Serbia...
, Varaždin
Varaždin
Varaždin is a city in north Croatia, north of Zagreb on the highway A4. The total population is 47,055, with 38,746 on of the city settlement itself . The centre of Varaždin county is located near the Drava river, at...
via the D528
D528 (Croatia)
D528 connects the A4 motorway Varaždin interchange to the D2 and D3 state roads, just to the south of the City of Varaždin. The eastern terminus of the road is an intersection with the D2 and D3 state roads, which are concurrent at that location...
, Novi Marof
Novi Marof
Novi Marof is a town in north-western Croatia, located south of Varaždin and east of Ivanec, in the Varaždin county.The population of the municipality is 13,238 , distributed in the following settlements:* Bela, population 62...
via the D22
D22 (Croatia)
D22 is a state road in the central Croatia connecting Novi Marof on the D3 state road to the A4 motorway Novi Marof interchange, Križevci on the D41 state road and Sveti Ivan Žabno on the D28 state road...
, Vrbovec
Vrbovec
Vrbovec is city in Zagreb county, Croatia, lying to the northeast of the capital Zagreb.-Geography:The town of Vrbovec lies to the north-east of Zagreb, either along the highway A4 , and then B28 expressway Vrbovec is city in Zagreb county, Croatia, lying to the northeast of the capital...
and Bjelovar
Bjelovar
Bjelovar is a city in central Croatia. It is the administrative centre of Bjelovar-Bilogora County. During the 2001 census, there were 41,869 inhabitants, 90.51% which are Croats....
via the D28 state roads and Dugo Selo
Dugo Selo
-Geography:Dugo Selo is a 20 km drive from Zagreb city centre.The town covers an area of 51 km² and it consists of numerous settlements. The summit of the hill Martin Breg is situated in the northern part of the town. Most neighborhoods of Dugo Selo are located on the Martin Breg...
via the Ž3034 county road. Future development of the motorway will include additional rest areas and a possible expansion of interchanges. The A4 motorway consists of two traffic lanes and an emergency lane in each driving direction along its entire length, except in tunnels where there are emergency bays instead. All existing interchanges are trumpet interchanges, except in Ivanja Reka, which is a modified cloverleaf
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
. There is a number of rest area
Rest area
A rest area, travel plaza, rest stop, or service area is a public facility, located next to a large thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or freeway at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting on to secondary roads...
s along the motorway, providing various types of services ranging from parking spaces and restrooms to filling station
Filling station
A filling station, also known as a fueling station, garage, gasbar , gas station , petrol bunk , petrol pump , petrol garage, petrol kiosk , petrol station "'servo"' in Australia or service station, is a facility which sells fuel and lubricants...
s and restaurants. As of October 2010, the motorway has 12 interchanges, providing access to numerous towns and cities and the Croatian state road network. The A4 motorway is concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with the D3 state road
D3 (Croatia)
D3 is a state road in western parts of Croatia connecting Rijeka on the Adriatic coast to Zagreb, Karlovac and Varaždin, as well as to Goričan border crossing to Hungary...
between the Komin and Ivanja Reka interchanges, although the D3 is not signposted along that section. The motorway is operated by Hrvatske autoceste.
An automatic traffic monitoring and guidance system is in place along the motorway. It consists of measuring, control and signaling devices, located in zones where driving conditions may vary—at interchanges, near viaducts, bridges, tunnels and in zones where fog and strong winds are known to occur. The system consists of variable trafic signs used to communicate changing driving conditions, possible restrictions and other information to motorway users.
The A4 motorway runs through hills and plains crossed by a number of watercourses, requiring a number of bridges, viaducts and tunnels along the route. Particular attention to the environment is also required, due to the several water supply and natural heritage
Natural heritage
Natural heritage is the legacy of natural objects and intangible attributes encompassing the countryside and natural environment, including flora and fauna, scientifically known as biodiversity, and geology and landforms ....
zones.
Toll
The A4 is a tolled motorwayToll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
based on the vehicle classification in Croatia
Vehicle classification in Croatia
There are two forms of vehicle classification in Croatia. Vehicles are classified by categories in the driving license and by categories for toll highways.- Driving license classification :- Toll categories :...
using a closed toll system
Ticket system
A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road (also known as closed toll collection system, as opposed to a flat-rate toll road, is utilized by some state toll road or highway agencies that allows a motorist to pay a toll rate based on the number of miles traveled...
. As of October 2010, toll charged along the A4 route between the Sveta Helena and Goričan mainline toll plazas varies depending on the length of route travelled and ranges from 7.00 kuna
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....
(€0.96) to 36.00 kuna (€4.93) for passenger cars and 22.00 kuna (€3.01) to 120.00 kuna (€16.44) for semi-trailer truck
Semi-trailer truck
A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or articulated truck or articulated lorry, is an articulated vehicle consisting of a towing engine , and a semi-trailer A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) articulated truck...
s. The toll is payable in either Croatian kuna or euros using major credit cards, debit cards and a number of prepaid toll collection systems. The latter includes various types of smart cards issued by the motorway operator and ENC, an electronic toll collection (ETC)
Electronic toll collection
Electronic toll collection , an adaptation of military "identification friend or foe" technology, aims to eliminate the delay on toll roads by collecting tolls electronically. It is thus a technological implementation of a road pricing concept...
system which is shared at most motorways in Croatia and provides drivers with discounted toll rates for dedicated lanes at toll plazas. The northernmost section of the motorway, between the border and Goričan interchange (inclusive) is not tolled. Similarly, the southernmost part of the A4 motorway route, located between Sveta Helena and Ivanja Reka interchanges (inclusive) is also toll-free, as it is a part of the Zagreb bypass
Zagreb bypass
Zagreb bypass , is an U-shaped motorway partially encircling Zagreb, Croatia. The largest part by far, between Jankomir and Ivanja Reka interchanges, has been built between 1977 and 1979, while Ivanja Reka - Sveta Helena section has been built between 1996 and 1999. The bypass is long, tracing...
, which services a significant volume of traffic.
Notable structures
The A4 motorway Varaždin–Breznički HumBreznicki Hum
Breznički is a village and municipality in Croatia in the Varaždin county. According to the 2001 census, there are 1,575 inhabitants, absolute majority which are Croats....
section route runs through hilly landscape requiring a number of viaducts and tunnels, especially along the Breznički Hum–Novi Marof
Novi Marof
Novi Marof is a town in north-western Croatia, located south of Varaždin and east of Ivanec, in the Varaždin county.The population of the municipality is 13,238 , distributed in the following settlements:* Bela, population 62...
section and around the Varaždinske Toplice
Varaždinske Toplice
Varaždinske Toplice is a town in Croatia in the Varaždin County. The town is well known for its hot springs and medical center Aquae Iasae.In the 2011 census, the population of the municipality is 6,399, composed of the following settlements:...
exit. Each comprises four traffic lanes, while the viaducts have emergency lanes. Two most notable structures are the Hrastovec and Vrtlinovec tunnels, located to the south and north of the exit, respectively. Both of the tunnels consist of two tubes each, and each of them carry two traffic lanes. The Hrastovec Tunnel tubes are unequal in length, as the southbound tube is 498 metres (1,633.9 ft) long, while the northbound tube is 523 metres (1,715.9 ft) long. The Vrtlinovec Tunnel southbound tube is 628 metres (2,060.4 ft) long and its northbound tube is 522 metres (1,712.6 ft) long, earning the distinction of being the longest tunnel on the A4 route. There are two major bridges on the A4 motorway, both of them located north of Varaždin. The longest one is the Drava Bridge, carrying the motorway across the Drava River
Drava
Drava or Drave is a river in southern Central Europe, a tributary of the Danube. It sources in Toblach/Dobbiaco, Italy, and flows east through East Tirol and Carinthia in Austria, into Slovenia , and then southeast, passing through Croatia and forming most of the border between Croatia and...
, measuring 507.7 metres (1,665.7 ft) long. There is also the Zrinski Bridge
Zrinski Bridge
The Zrinski Bridge or Zrínyi Bridge connects the Croatian A4 and the Hungarian M7 motorways, spanning the Mura River. As it also spans Hungarian–Croatian border, a joint border checkpoint is located north of the bridge. The bridge is located between Goričan interchange of the A4 motorway and...
, carrying the A4 motorway across Mur River and across the Croatia–Hungary border, thus representing the northern terminus of the motorway, where northbound A4 traffic defaults to the Hungarian M7 motorway towards Nagykanizsa and Budapest. The 216 metres (708.7 ft) Zrinski Bridge was the final structure completed on the route. Both the Drava and Mura bridges carry six motorway lanes.
History
A motorway connecting Zagreb to Varaždin and Budapest was proposed in the early 1970s, but unlike the Zagreb–Rijeka and Zagreb–BelgradeBelgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
motorways, no construction was carried out. Although the first section of the route, now designated as the A4 motorway, was completed in 1980, development for the motorway was proposed once again in 1991 to facilitate links between the Varaždin area, Zagreb and the remainder of the Croatian motorway network. The route was added to the network of Pan-European transport corridors in June 1997, during the third Pan-European Transport Conference in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, and on August 7, 1997, the government of the Republic of Croatia decided to establish the Autocesta Rijeka–Zagreb–Goričan company and award it a 28-year concession
Concession (contract)
A concession is a business operated under a contract or license associated with a degree of exclusivity in business within a certain geographical area. For example, sports arenas or public parks may have concession stands. Many department stores contain numerous concessions operated by other...
to develop, operate and maintain the route as a six-lane motorway. The route consisted of the entire Croatian section of the Pan-European corridor Vb except for 20.8 kilometres (12.9 mi) of the Lučko
Lučko interchange
The Lučko interchange is a stack interchange in Zagreb, Croatia. It is named after nearby Zagreb neighborhood of Lučko. The interchange represents the northern terminus of the A1 motorway and it connects the A1 route to the A3 motorway between Jankomir interchange and Buzin exit, also representing...
–Ivanja Reka section of the A3 motorway, which was already in use as a part of Zagreb bypass.
Later that same year, on May 14, 1998, the government signed an agreement with Astaldi
Astaldi
Astaldi SpA is a major construction company based in Rome, Italy. The group is active in the fields of civil, hydraulic, electromechanical and environmental engineering, and transportation and infrastructure.-History:...
, regulating construction of the Zagreb Goričan motorway by 2000. On December 11, 1997, pursuant to the agreement, the government established the Autocesta Rijeka–Zagreb company to take the place of the Autocesta Rijeka–Zagreb–Goričan company, and awarded it the 28-year concession to develop, maintain and operate the Zagreb–Rijeka motorway, effectively excluding the Zagreb–Goričan motorway from the original concession. At the same time, the Transeuropska autocesta d.o.o. (TEA) company was established by the government and awarded concession for development, operation and maintenance of the Zagreb–Goričan motorway. Astaldi owned 51% of TEA, with the remainder owned by the Republic of Croatia. TEA was to secure financing of the project in 1998. Construction began as scheduled; however, financial and legal problems ensued, and by 1999, the press speculated that Astaldi had given up the project, but Astaldi repeatedly denied these claims. Ultimately, the government cancelled the contract and ceded the motorway to Croatian Roads Administration (ancestor of Hrvatske autoceste and Hrvatske ceste
Hrvatske ceste
Hrvatske ceste is a Croatian state-owned company pursuant to provisions of the Croatian Public Roads Act , the county and local roads are managed by county authorities, while the motorways are managed by Croatian Motorways Ltd and other concessionaires.The company is currently administered by a...
), leading Astaldi to turn to the commercial arbitration court in Vienna, which ruled in its favour. The Republic of Croatia was subsequently required to pay Astaldi 44.3 million euro in damages.
In 1980, the 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) Popovec
Popovec
Popovec is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D3 highway....
–Ivanja Reka section was the first part of the A4 motorway to be built, as a semi-motorway, for the new Ivanja Reka interchange on the motorway, later designated A3. The first section completed was the 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) Goričan–Čakovec section, opened to traffic in 1997, followed by the 22.4 kilometres (13.9 mi) Komin–Popovec and the 15.58 kilometres (9.7 mi) Čakovec–Varaždin sections, completed in 1998. In 2000, the 12.3 kilometres (7.6 mi) Breznički Hum–Komin section was finished, and in 2003, the motorway route was nearly completed as the 23.25 kilometres (14.4 mi) Varaždin–Breznički Hum section and the second carriageway in the Popovec–Ivanja Reka section were built. The final 1.6 kilometre (0.994196378639691 mi) section between the Goričan exit and the Hungarian border opened on October 22, 2008, the same day the final section of the A6 motorway was finalised, marking completion of the Budapest–Zagreb–Rijeka motorway.
Traffic volume
Traffic is regularly counted and reported by Hrvatske autoceste, operator of the motorway, and results are published by Hrvatske ceste. The largest annual average daily traffic (AADT)Annual average daily traffic
Average Annual daily traffic, abbreviated AADT, is a measure used primarily in transportation planning and transportation engineering. It is the total volume of vehicle traffic of a highway or road for a year divided by 365 days. AADT is a useful and simple measurement of how busy the road is...
volume is often recorded in the Sveta Helena–Komin section, although all sections between Sveta Helena and Varaždin display similar AADT. AADT data for sections north of Varaždin show considerable drops in traffic volume. As the motorway traffic volume is measured through analysis of toll ticket sales, the southernmost section of the motorway, Ivanja Reka–Sveta Helena, is not included in the report. However, since the section is a part of the Zagreb bypass
Zagreb bypass
Zagreb bypass , is an U-shaped motorway partially encircling Zagreb, Croatia. The largest part by far, between Jankomir and Ivanja Reka interchanges, has been built between 1977 and 1979, while Ivanja Reka - Sveta Helena section has been built between 1996 and 1999. The bypass is long, tracing...
, it carries significantly heavier traffic than any other sections of the A4 motorway—in 2004, traffic volume along the toll-free section of the A4 motorway was approximately 24,000 vehicles per day (AADT) between the Kraljevečki Novaki
Kraljevečki Novaki
Kraljevečki Novaki is a former village that is has been recorded as part of Sesvete, Croatia since 1991. The last census that recorded its population as a standalone settlement was in 1981, when it had 632 inhabitants....
and Sveta Helena interchanges and nearly 41,000 vehicles per day between the Kraljevečki Novaki and Ivanja Reka interchanges. Traffic volume measured on the Ivanja Reka–Ivanić Grad section of the A3 motorway increased by 30%, hinting at a similar increase in traffic volume on the A4 route south of Sveta Helena.
Variations between AADT and average summer daily traffic (ASDT) traffic volumes are attributed to the fact that the motorway carries substantial tourist traffic to the Adriatic Sea resorts. On average, the tolled section of the A4 motorway carries 75% more ASDT than AADT. The largest increase of the ASDT relative to the AADT is observed on the Čakovec–Goričan section: 215%.
| A4 traffic volume details | ||||
| Road | Counting site | AADT | ASDT | Notes |
| A4 | 1303 Čakovec north | 2,288 | 7,203 | Between Goričan and Čakovec interchanges. |
| A4 | 1306 Ludbreg north | 4,099 | 9,368 | Between Čakovec and Ludbreg interchanges. |
| A4 | 1212 Varaždin north | 5,001 | 10,346 | Between Varaždin and Ludbreg interchanges. |
| A4 | 1215 Varaždinske Toplice north | 10,236 | 16,385 | Between Varaždinske Toplice and Varaždin interchanges. |
| A4 | 1220 Novi Marof north | 9,624 | 15,821 | Between Novi Marof and Varaždinske Toplice interchanges. |
| A4 | 1225 Breznički Hum north | 9,761 | 15,935 | Between Breznički Hum and Novi Marof interchanges. |
| A4 | 1229 Komin north | 10,275 | 16,499 | Between Komin and Breznički Hum interchanges. |
| A4 | 2002 Sveta Helena north | 10,564 | 16,759 | Between Sveta Helena and Komin interchanges. |
Rest areas
As of October 2010, there are three rest areas along the A4 motorway. Legislation identifies four types of rest areas designated as types A through D: A-type rest areas comprise a full range of amenities, including a filling station, a restaurant and a hotel or motel; B-type rest areas have no lodging; C-type rest areas are very common and include a filling station and a café, but no restaurants or accommodations; D-type rest areas only offer parking spaces, possibly picnicking tables and benches, and restrooms. Even though rest areas found along the A4 motorway generally follow this ranking system, there are considerable variations, as some of them offer extra services. The filling stations regularly have small convenience stores, and some of them may offer LPG fuel.The primary motorway operator, Hrvatske autoceste (HAC), leases the A, B and C type rest areas to various operators through public tenders. As of October 2010, there are two such rest area operators on the A4 motorway: INA and OMV
OMV
OMV is Austria's largest oil-producing, refining and gas station operating company with important activities in other Central European countries...
. The rest area operators are not permitted to sub-lease the fuel operations. The A4 motorway rest areas are accessible from both directions of the motorway and operate operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;" colspan="5"| List of A4 motorway rest areas
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;"
|| County
|| km
|| Name
|| Operators
|| Notes
|-
| rowspan=2|Varaždin
Varaždin County
Varaždin County is a county in northern Croatia. It is named after its county seat, the city of Varaždin.-Geography:In addition to the city of Varaždin, the county includes the towns of Ivanec, Ludbreg, Lepoglava, Novi Marof and Varaždinske Toplice, as well as 22 municipalities...
| 26.9
| Varaždin
| HAC
| Facilities found at Varaždin rest area comprise parking area only.
|-
| 44.7
| Ljubešćica
| INA
| Facilities found at Ljubešćica rest area comprise a filling station selling petrol and diesel fuel, a café and restrooms.
|-
| City of Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
| 86.3
| Sesvete
| OMV
OMV
OMV is Austria's largest oil-producing, refining and gas station operating company with important activities in other Central European countries...
| Facilities found at Sesvete rest area comprise a filling station selling petrol and diesel fuel, a restaurant, a café and restrooms.
Exit list
{| class="wikitable"|- style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;"
!scope="col"|County
!scope="col"|km
!scope="col"|Exit
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Destination
!scope="col"|Notes
|-
| rowspan=4 |Međimurje
| style="background:#dfd;"|0.0
| style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|Goričan border crossing
| style="background:#dfd;"| M7
M7 motorway (Hungary)
The M7 motorway is a Hungarian motorway which runs from Budapest towards the Croatian border at Letenye, reaching Székesfehérvár, then Siófok, a town on Lake Balaton, and the city of Nagykanizsa in the southwest of the country....
| style="background:#dfd;"|Goričan border crossing
Border Crossing
Border Crossing may refer to:* Border Crossing , an album by saxophonist Mike Osborne.* Border Crossing , a UK hip hop collective musical group.* Border Crossing , a 2001 novel by English author Pat Barker....
to Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
The motorway extends as Hungarian M7
M7 motorway (Hungary)
The M7 motorway is a Hungarian motorway which runs from Budapest towards the Croatian border at Letenye, reaching Székesfehérvár, then Siófok, a town on Lake Balaton, and the city of Nagykanizsa in the southwest of the country....
motorway towards Nagykanizsa and Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
.
The northern terminus of European routes E65/E71 concurrency
The northern terminus of the motorway
|-
| 2.8
| align=center | 1
| Goričan
Gorican
Goričan is a municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia.Goričan is the only village belonging to the municipality. Its population in the 2001 census was 3,148. Of the entire population, 3,088 people identified themselves as Croats....
|
| Connection to Goričan
|-
| 4.7
| align=center |
|-
| 16.9
| align=center | 2
| Čakovec
Cakovec
Čakovec is a city in northern Croatia, located around 90 kilometres north of Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Čakovec is both the county seat and largest city of Međimurje County, the northernmost, smallest and most densely populated Croatian county.-Population:...
|
| Connection to Čakovec and Prelog
|-
| rowspan=10 |Varaždin
Varaždin County
Varaždin County is a county in northern Croatia. It is named after its county seat, the city of Varaždin.-Geography:In addition to the city of Varaždin, the county includes the towns of Ivanec, Ludbreg, Lepoglava, Novi Marof and Varaždinske Toplice, as well as 22 municipalities...
| 23.1
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|Drava River Bridge
|-
| 25.0
| align=center | 3
| Ludbreg
Ludbreg
Ludbreg is a town in Croatia, located halfway between Varaždin and Koprivnica near the river Drava. It has 3,594 inhabitants, and a total of 8,458 in the entire municipality .-History:...
|
| Connection to Varaždin and Lubreg via D2
D2 (Croatia)
D2 state road is a trunk state road in the northern areas of Croatia that spans from the border crossing with Slovenia at Dubrava Križovljanska in the west via Varaždin, Koprivnica, Virovitica, Našice, Osijek, Vukovar, ending in Ilok at the border crossing with Serbia...
state road
|-
| 26.9
| align=center |
|-
| 32.7
| align=center | 4
| Varaždin
Varaždin
Varaždin is a city in north Croatia, north of Zagreb on the highway A4. The total population is 47,055, with 38,746 on of the city settlement itself . The centre of Varaždin county is located near the Drava river, at...
|
| Connection to Varaždin via D3
D3 (Croatia)
D3 is a state road in western parts of Croatia connecting Rijeka on the Adriatic coast to Zagreb, Karlovac and Varaždin, as well as to Goričan border crossing to Hungary...
state road and to D2
D2 (Croatia)
D2 state road is a trunk state road in the northern areas of Croatia that spans from the border crossing with Slovenia at Dubrava Križovljanska in the west via Varaždin, Koprivnica, Virovitica, Našice, Osijek, Vukovar, ending in Ilok at the border crossing with Serbia...
state road junction west of Varaždin
|-
| 36.9
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|Vrtlinovec Tunnel
|-
| 38.6
| align=center | 5
| Varaždinske Toplice
Varaždinske Toplice
Varaždinske Toplice is a town in Croatia in the Varaždin County. The town is well known for its hot springs and medical center Aquae Iasae.In the 2011 census, the population of the municipality is 6,399, composed of the following settlements:...
|
| Connection to Varaždinske Toplice and to D24
D24 (Croatia)
D24 is a state road in the northwestern Croatia connecting Zabok on the D1 state road, near the A2 motorway Zabok interchange, Novi Marof on the D3 state road, the A4 motorway Novi Marof interchange and Ludbreg on the D2 state road, near the A4 motorway Ludbreg interchange....
state road
|-
| 39.2
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|Hrastovec Tunnel
|-
| 44.7
| align=center |
|-
| 47.0
| align=center | 6
| Novi Marof
Novi Marof
Novi Marof is a town in north-western Croatia, located south of Varaždin and east of Ivanec, in the Varaždin county.The population of the municipality is 13,238 , distributed in the following settlements:* Bela, population 62...
|
| Connection to Novi Marof and Križevci via D22
D22 (Croatia)
D22 is a state road in the central Croatia connecting Novi Marof on the D3 state road to the A4 motorway Novi Marof interchange, Križevci on the D41 state road and Sveti Ivan Žabno on the D28 state road...
state road
|-
| 56.6
| align=center | 7
| Breznički Hum
Breznicki Hum
Breznički is a village and municipality in Croatia in the Varaždin county. According to the 2001 census, there are 1,575 inhabitants, absolute majority which are Croats....
|
| Connection to Breznički Hum
|-
| rowspan=3 |Zagreb County
Zagreb County
Zagreb County is a county in central Croatia. It surrounds – but does not contain – the nation's capital Zagreb, which is a separate territorial unit. For that reason, it is often nicknamed "Zagreb ring"...
| 68.8
| align=center | 8
| Komin
|
| Connection to Komin
|-
| 77.2
| align=center |
|-
| 79.2
| align=center | 9
| Sveta Helena
|
| Connection to Vrbovec
Vrbovec
Vrbovec is city in Zagreb county, Croatia, lying to the northeast of the capital Zagreb.-Geography:The town of Vrbovec lies to the north-east of Zagreb, either along the highway A4 , and then B28 expressway Vrbovec is city in Zagreb county, Croatia, lying to the northeast of the capital...
and Bjelovar
Bjelovar
Bjelovar is a city in central Croatia. It is the administrative centre of Bjelovar-Bilogora County. During the 2001 census, there were 41,869 inhabitants, 90.51% which are Croats....
via D28 expressway.
Future connection to A12
A12 (Croatia)
The A12 motorway is a partially built motorway in the central Croatia northeast from Zagreb extending towards the city of Vrbovec. It is currently executed as a long expressway between the A4 motorway Sveta Helena interchange south and east of Vrbovec...
motorway (planned).
Connection to Rakovec, Sveta Helena and Donja Zelina
Donja Zelina
Donja Zelina is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D3 highway....
(D3
D3 (Croatia)
D3 is a state road in western parts of Croatia connecting Rijeka on the Adriatic coast to Zagreb, Karlovac and Varaždin, as well as to Goričan border crossing to Hungary...
) (via the Ž3016)
The eastern terminus of Zagreb bypass
Zagreb bypass
Zagreb bypass , is an U-shaped motorway partially encircling Zagreb, Croatia. The largest part by far, between Jankomir and Ivanja Reka interchanges, has been built between 1977 and 1979, while Ivanja Reka - Sveta Helena section has been built between 1996 and 1999. The bypass is long, tracing...
.
|-
| rowspan=3 |City of Zagreb
| 86.3
| align=center |
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|90.4
| style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| 10
| style="background:#dfd;"|Popovec
Popovec
Popovec is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D3 highway....
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|Connection to Popovec and Soblinec
Soblinec
Soblinec is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D3 highway....
(D29
D29 (Croatia)
D29 is a state road in the northwestern Croatia connecting Novi Golubovec and the D35 state road to Soblinec on the D3 state road near the A4 motorway Popovec interchange...
)
The northern terminus of concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
of the A4 motorway and the D3 state road.
|-
| 93.6
| style="text-align:center;"| 11
| Kraljevečki Novaki
Kraljevečki Novaki
Kraljevečki Novaki is a former village that is has been recorded as part of Sesvete, Croatia since 1991. The last census that recorded its population as a standalone settlement was in 1981, when it had 632 inhabitants....
|
| Connection to Sesvete
Sesvete
Sesvete is one of the districts of Zagreb, Croatia. It is located in the eastern part of the city and has 59,212 inhabitants .-Administrative division:...
and Dugo Selo
Dugo Selo
-Geography:Dugo Selo is a 20 km drive from Zagreb city centre.The town covers an area of 51 km² and it consists of numerous settlements. The summit of the hill Martin Breg is situated in the northern part of the town. Most neighborhoods of Dugo Selo are located on the Martin Breg...
|-
| Zagreb County
Zagreb County
Zagreb County is a county in central Croatia. It surrounds – but does not contain – the nation's capital Zagreb, which is a separate territorial unit. For that reason, it is often nicknamed "Zagreb ring"...
| style="background:#dfd;"|96.4
| style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| 12
| style="background:#dfd;"|Ivanja Reka
Ivanja Reka interchange
The Ivanja Reka interchange is a cloverleaf interchange east of Zagreb, Croatia. The interchange represents the southern terminus of the A4 motorway and it connects the A4 route to the A3 motorway representing major a link in the Croatian motorway system. The interchange is a part of Pan-European...
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|Connection to Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
via Slavonska Avenue
Slavonska Avenue
Slavonska Avenue is a controlled-access avenue in Zagreb, Croatia. It is the longest street in Zagreb, being long. It mostly has a speed limit, although the speed is limited to on a short section near the Ivanja Reka interchange with the Zagreb bypass and to on the section between the Ivanja...
(Ž1035, to the west), Slavonski Brod
Slavonski Brod
Slavonski Brod is a city in Croatia, with a population of 59,507 in 2011. The city was known as Marsonia in the Roman Empire, and as Brod na Savi 1244–1934. It is the sixth largest city in Croatia, after Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek and Zadar. Located in the region of Slavonia, it is the...
(eastbound A3
A3 (Croatia)
The A3 motorway is a major motorway in Croatia spanning . The motorway connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to the Slavonia region and a number of cities along the Sava River. It represents a major east–west transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the Pan-European Corridor...
) as well as A11
A11 (Croatia)
The A11 motorway is an incomplete motorway in Croatia, long. It connects Velika Gorica, located south of Zagreb to Buševec exit. Only a fifth of the planned route is complete, and the motorway, when completed, shall span between Jakuševec interchange and Mošćenica near Sisak...
, A1
A1 (Croatia)
The A1 motorway is the longest motorway in Croatia spanning . As it connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to Split, the second largest city in the country and the largest city in Dalmatia, the motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the...
, A2
A2 (Croatia)
The A2 motorway is a motorway in the Hrvatsko Zagorje region of northern Croatia, connecting Zagreb to the Macelj border crossing and Slovenia. The A2 motorway is part of the European route E59 and the Pan-European Corridor Xa...
motorways, southern and western Zagreb bypass
Zagreb bypass
Zagreb bypass , is an U-shaped motorway partially encircling Zagreb, Croatia. The largest part by far, between Jankomir and Ivanja Reka interchanges, has been built between 1977 and 1979, while Ivanja Reka - Sveta Helena section has been built between 1996 and 1999. The bypass is long, tracing...
exits, Samobor
Samobor
Samobor is a town in the Zagreb County, Croatia. It is part of the Zagreb metropolitan area.-Geography:Samobor is located west of Zagreb, between the eastern slopes of the Samoborsko gorje , in the Sava River valley.-Population:...
and Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
(westbound A3
A3 (Croatia)
The A3 motorway is a major motorway in Croatia spanning . The motorway connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to the Slavonia region and a number of cities along the Sava River. It represents a major east–west transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the Pan-European Corridor...
).
The southern terminus of European routes E65/E71 concurrency
The southern terminus of D3 state road concurrency
The southern terminus of the motorway. Southbound A4 traffic defaults to westbound A3 motorway.
See also
- International E-road networkInternational E-road networkThe international E-road network is a numbering system for roads in Europe developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe . The network is numbered from E 1 up and its roads cross national borders...
- Transport in CroatiaTransport in CroatiaTransport in Croatia relies on several main modes, including transport by road, rail, water and air. Road transport incorporates a comprehensive network of state, county and local routes augmented by a network of highways for long-distance travelling...