Highway lanes closed by accident, prisons in some places

Starting tomorrow, additional closures will take effect on the roads leading into Tbilisi. This decision comes as part of ongoing infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing traffic flow and safety along major routes. The changes will impact both local and long-distance travelers, requiring them to adjust their travel plans accordingly.

The closure affects a significant portion of the Vipava Expressway, specifically between the Nanos junction and the Vipava exit. These roadworks are part of a broader initiative to upgrade the highway, which has been under renovation since early this year. From Monday, July 6th, until mid-November, the entire direction of the expressway from the Vipava exit to the Nanos split will be closed. During this period, all traffic heading towards Nova Gorica will use one lane of the expressway, while transit traffic moving towards Ljubljana will be rerouted via the Fernetiče road. Additional traffic bound for Ljubljana will utilize a parallel regional road.

The project, managed by Darsa representatives, was announced during a press conference held in Vipava. Officials emphasized that these works are crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of the expressway, which currently handles approximately 4,500 trucks daily. The closure is expected to last until mid-November, allowing sufficient time for construction crews to complete the necessary upgrades without disrupting regular traffic patterns too severely.

In addition to the Vipava Expressway, several other roads across Slovenia have also experienced disruptions due to ongoing maintenance work. On the Styrian motorway, a lane between Šentjakob and Domžale towards Maribor remains closed, causing delays for drivers. Similar issues have arisen on the Šmarje-Koper and Lucija-Izola roads, where traffic congestion has become noticeable.

The Road Traffic Information Center for State Roads has confirmed that construction activities continue on multiple highways, resulting in partial or full closures. On the Styrian motorway, the entrance from Šentjakob towards Ljubljana will remain closed until Sunday at 10 PM. Additionally, there will be 30-minute full closures between Šentjakob and Zadobrovo towards Ljubljana overnight, from 11 PM to 4 AM, due to ongoing work.

On the Primorska motorway, full closures have been implemented at the Postojna junction. Both the exit from Kopra towards Postojna and the entrance from Postojna towards Kopra are closed. Furthermore, the full closure of the entrance from Postojna towards Ljubljana has been postponed to Monday, July 6th, starting at 5 PM, and is expected to remain in place until July 12th. Drivers seeking alternative routes can use the Razdrto and Unec exits.

These closures highlight the complexity of managing large-scale infrastructure projects within existing transportation networks. While such measures are essential for improving road conditions and reducing future maintenance costs, they inevitably cause inconvenience for commuters and freight operators alike. Authorities have urged drivers to plan their journeys carefully and consider alternative routes when possible.

Looking ahead, officials anticipate that these temporary disruptions will contribute significantly to the overall improvement of the region's transport infrastructure. As the final phase of the Vipava Expressway upgrades progresses, further adjustments to traffic management strategies may be required to ensure smooth operations throughout the remainder of the year. For now, however, the focus remains on completing the current phase of construction before the anticipated completion date in mid-November.