Major road development launched in Croatia, with significant benefits ahead for Hungarian transport
An extraordinary Croatian road development programme could greatly ease border crossings in the future, while on the Hungarian side not only the roads near the southern border and around Pécs, but also the heavily congested M7 motorway may soon undergo major upgrades.
A significant expressway development has begun in the Virovitica area of Croatia, just twenty kilometres from the Hungarian border. Construction of the DC12 road between Bjelovar and Virovitica has now entered the actual implementation phase, clearly visible through closures, diversions and the presence of heavy machinery, Pénzcentrum reports.
The project is a long-awaited road development for both countries, as it could play a strategic role as part of the route connecting Podravina with Zagreb.
Construction could be completed within two years
The road development works are overseen by Hrvatske ceste, the Croatian state road infrastructure company. Their aim is to open the entire section to traffic by 2026, or at the latest by 2027.
From the DC12, in the long term it would be possible to continue towards Terezino Polje, creating a direct link to the Hungarian border. The planned length of the road is 45 kilometres, with a 2×1 lane layout and a speed limit of 100 km/h, but it could later be expanded to 2×2 lanes.
Road developments starting on the Hungarian side as well
In parallel, planning of the M60 expressway in Hungary has also gained new momentum. Procurement for the construction plans of the extension of the current section ending in Pécs is already in progress, while the segment between Szigetvár and Barcs has obtained environmental approval.
Plans also include building a new dual two-lane bridge over the River Drava at the border, linking the M60 with Croatia’s D12. Agreement between the two parties has already been reached, and preparation of the international treaty required for the bridge’s construction is under way.
The route would be 64.4 kilometres long, with a speed limit of 110 km/h, paved hard shoulders, and implemented in two phases: first the high-traffic section between Pécs and Szigetvár would be built, followed by the part leading towards Barcs.
The aim of the project is to boost the region’s competitiveness, support job creation, and establish a fully functioning cross-border transport corridor in line with the Croatian road developments.
The M7 may also be renewed soon
Alongside the Croatian and Hungarian road developments, one of the busiest corridors in Hungary, the M7 motorway, is also set for major upgrades. Modernisation of the section between the M0 and Balatonvilágos – which is particularly overloaded in summer – is in the permitting phase, with construction expected to start in September 2027.
According to the plans, the section between the M0 and Szabadbattyán will be expanded to 2×3 lanes with an additional operable ITS emergency lane, while the section between Szabadbattyán and Balatonvilágos will feature a 2×2+1 ITS layout.
The intelligent transport system will manage traffic using cameras, sensors, and real-time control; the ITS lane could be opened to vehicles when needed – for example in the event of accidents, maintenance works, or during peak summer traffic.
The aim of the road development is to increase motorway capacity, reduce congestion, and improve road safety, particularly on the heavily burdened Budapest–Balaton section.
Expansion of the M1 already under way
In September this year, development of the M1 motorway also began and, according to current plans, will continue for four years. As previously reported by hvg, the 78-kilometre section between the M0 and the Concó rest area will be expanded from the current 2×2 lanes to 2×3 lanes, and an ITS lane will also be constructed.
In the first phase of the two-stage project, the section between the M0 and Bicske would be completed by 2028, and the remaining part by 2029. Ultimately, the goal is for traffic to flow on 2×4 lanes all the way from Budapest to Győr.