by croatiaweek
September 25, 2025
in
Učka Tunnel (Photo credit: Jarba/e GNU Free Documentation License)
The long-awaited modernisation of the Učka Tunnel has officially been completed, marking a major milestone for road connections between Istria and the rest of Croatia.
From today, traffic will once again flow through both tunnel tubes – the brand-new second tube, opened last year, and the fully renovated original tunnel, which first entered service in 1971.
The official ceremony takes place this afternoon at 14:00, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in attendance. Earlier in the day, he arrived in Pazin to join celebrations for Istria County Day. Among the first to drive through the renewed tunnel was HRT journalist Marko Percan.
Speaking about the significance of the project, Percan noted:
“Between 14,000 and 18,000 vehicles pass through this tunnel every day, so this means a great deal. It is also important for the wider area from Učka to Matulji, which is under development until 2027. Only once this section is completed will the Istrian Y motorway be fully connected to Croatia’s motorway network.”
Faster and safer journeys
Motorists will now benefit from much quicker journeys. Travel time from Pula to Zagreb will be cut to just two and a half hours. The toll fee for the Pula–Učka section is set at €11.40.
The renovated tunnel is effectively brand new. Over the past year, workers replaced the road surface, drainage, lighting, ventilation, safety and evacuation systems, as well as all technical installations.
Leading Croatian firm Skira Lighting Design played a key role by illuminating the administrative building and the new tunnel entrance on the Kvarner side.
(Photo: Danijel Bartolić)
A project decades in the making
The original Učka Tunnel tube, first opened in 1971, has seen more than 80 million vehicles pass through it over 44 years of service. Its complete renewal marks an historic moment for Istria’s infrastructure.
(Photo: Danijel Bartolić)
The €25 million renovation project involved around 150 workers, primarily from Croatian companies.
Today’s celebrations coincide with Istria County Day and the commemoration of the historic September Decisions of 1943, which declared that Istria would join its homeland Croatia.