Croatia’s long-discussed motorway extension to Dubrovnik has hit another delay after Croatian Motorways (HAC) officially cancelled the latest construction tender.
As reported by Index.hr, the state company responsible for Dubrovnik motorway said all submitted offers were significantly more expensive than expected, forcing the cancellation of the process and preparation of a new tender.
The cancelled tender relates to sections between Rudine, Slano and Mravinjac, part of the future motorway route intended to improve road connections to Dubrovnik and Croatia’s far south.
For many foreign visitors, especially those travelling between Split and Dubrovnik or arriving from Central Europe by car, this project has been closely watched for years.
Although Croatia already has a modern motorway network connecting Zagreb, Split and much of the coast, the final stretch to Dubrovnik still relies mostly on slower coastal roads.
At the moment, the motorway effectively ends near the town of Ploče, after which travellers heading to Dubrovnik by car or bus continue along the Adriatic coastal road known locally as the Jadranska magistrala.
During summer, that often means heavier traffic, slower driving and longer travel times.
The future motorway is expected to eventually make travel to Dubrovnik faster and more predictable, especially during peak tourist season. It would also improve connections toward Montenegro and the southern Adriatic region.
According to DuList, Croatian Motorways insist the project has not been abandoned and remains a strategic priority despite the latest setback.
The motorway project has faced multiple delays over the years, including rising construction costs, procurement complaints and financing challenges. Croatian regional media have repeatedly reported shifting timelines and postponed construction phases.
For travellers visiting Croatia in 2026, however, nothing changes immediately. The main route to Dubrovnik remains the same coastal road network already used by most tourists today.
