by croatiaweek
May 12, 2026
in
Pelješac Bridge (Photo credit: Maureliusz/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Croatia’s Pelješac Bridge is set to undergo repair works later this year after surface cracks were detected on several bridge pillars, Dnevnik.hr has revealed.
Officials from Hrvatske ceste said the cracks do not pose any threat to the stability or safety of the bridge, but repairs are being planned now to prevent more serious long-term damage.
Ivica Budimir, chairman of the board of Hrvatske ceste, explained that the surface layer of concrete on affected sections will be removed down to the main reinforcement structure before being restored and additionally protected.
He said the repairs are necessary because salt and moisture can enter through the cracks, which over the next 20 to 30 years could accelerate damage to the main reinforcement inside the bridge pylons.
Works are expected to begin in October, after the end of the tourist season, and should be completed before the start of the next season.
Budimir said the repairs will have only a minimal impact on traffic and confirmed that the bridge will remain open throughout the works.
In addition to the cracks, several smaller issues have also been identified during inspections. These include minor rust appearing on parts of the steel structure and repair work required on lower sections of some pillars.
Authorities described these as routine maintenance issues, with the cracks on the pylons remaining the main priority.
As the bridge is still under warranty, the contractor responsible for construction will cover the cost of the repair works.
Hrvatske ceste said inspections and research are carried out annually and confirmed that the overall condition of the concrete structure remains good.
Budimir added that the bridge designer had also inspected the site and that official reports confirmed there are currently no safety concerns regarding traffic or the bridge’s stability.