February 3 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said on Friday it has approved Croatia's plan to prolong a concession contract with motorway management company Bina-Istra until 2041 in order to allow Bina-Istra to engage in additional works worth 204 million euro ($223 million) on expansion of Istrian Y motorway.
“The Commission found that the measure is necessary and appropriate to ensure the safety of the motorway and to reduce traffic congestion. Moreover, the Commission concluded that the measure is proportionate as Bina-Istra will not be overcompensated, and it will not distort competition and trade between member states,“ the Commission said in a press release.
Since 1995, Bina-Istra has been in charge of the operation and expansion of Istrian Y, a 145 km long motorway linking the Istrian region with the rest of Croatia. The concession contract is set to expire in June 2039.
“The prolongation will allow Bina-Istra to build a second carriageway between the Ucka tunnel/Kvarner portal and the Matulji interchange, on the north-eastern section of the motorway, and to complete the second carriageway of the north-western section,” it added.
($ = 0.915 euro)