When did cracks first appear on the Pelješac Bridge?

According to available information, damage to the concrete was observed during the bridge's construction phase.

Why is the bridge repair urgent?

It is urgent to prevent moisture and salt from reaching the reinforcement and causing corrosion, and to eliminate the risk of concrete pieces falling onto the roadway.

When will repair works begin?

According to announcements from Hrvatske Ceste, the start of works is planned for October 2026.

Croatia

Pelješac Bridge, 50 Months After Opening, Undergoing Repairs Due to Cracks in Pylons

H.D. · Prije 6 dana | 2 min

Hrvatske Ceste Announce Start of Works for October 2026, and Cracks Up to Six Centimeters Deep Threaten Reinforcement Corrosion

Summary

Pelješac Bridge, opened in July 2022, is undergoing repairs after 50 months of use.
Cracks in the pylon concrete are 3.5 to 6 centimeters deep, and water is already collecting in some.
Hrvatske Ceste plan to start defect removal works in October 2026.
The repairs aim to prevent reinforcement corrosion and potential concrete falling onto the roadway.

Just fifty months after its ceremonial opening, the Pelješac Bridge is set to undergo serious repairs. According to reports by OG Portal and Dubrovniknet, citing information from Hrvatske Ceste and Jutarnji List, the removal of identified defects on this key Croatian infrastructure is scheduled to begin in October 2026. The issue concerns a network of cracks that have appeared in the surface layer of concrete on the bridge's pylons.

Damage Details: Moisture and Corrosion Risk

According to sources close to Hrvatske Ceste, the cracks range in depth from 3.5 to 6 centimeters. Some of these cracks have already recorded the presence of moisture and water. The concrete layer protecting the main reinforcement of the pylons, known as the cover layer, is between 3.5 and 7 centimeters thick. Repairs are considered necessary because otherwise, the ingress of water and salt could over time cause corrosion of the reinforcement, endangering the structure's stability.

Deadlines and Need for Urgent Repair

Hrvatske Ceste, as the bridge manager, plans the start of works for October 2026. The goal of the repairs is not only to protect the reinforcement from corrosion but also to prevent potential detachment of concrete pieces and their falling onto the roadway, which could endanger traffic safety. The bridge was opened to traffic on July 26, 2022.