The reconstruction of the Zadar waterfront is progressing even better than expected, and the works have reached the halfway point at the end of May. The major, €8.9 million project is 85% funded by the Cohesion Fund and 15% by the State budget, as part of the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion. It includes the reconstruction and upgrade of the Coast of King Petar Krešimir IV including the quay and the Liburnska Coast, in the port area of Zadar – Peninsula.
What the completed waterfront will look like is best seen on the Liburnska Coast, where post-construction cleaning of three sites is in progress. The construction works on all three sites are almost entirely complete, and the 1.600,00 m2 of new stone paving are already being warmed by the spring sun. Ahead of opening the coast to the public, the shore connections and protective fenders need to be installed.
Along 900 metres of the Coast of King Petar Krešimir IV, from the University to the Sea organ, the contractor Adriaing has also made great efforts since August 2021. Thanks to this full engagement, the progress has exceeded the initial plan. All surface and underwater excavations have been completed, as well as the installation of 502 precast “l” elements, the installation of 251 precast blocks, and the construction of 750 metres of above-water concrete walls. Currenty, paving of the shore to create the walking surface is ongoing.
It is expected that the sections from Foša to the “Zagreb” hotel, and from the Sea organ to the quay, will be ready to open within the next three weeks. This will be followed by disengaging the heavy machinery from the Peninsula starting on 1 July, and for two months afterwards, only stonemasonry and underwater works will be performed on specific shore sections.
The quiet period will end in September, when the upgrade to the 80-metre quay – the most difficult part of the project – is set to begin. The works include the rehabilitation and extension of the quay by 15 metres, fulfilling the requirements to move the shipping line 409 Zadar – Preko, the busiest state shipping line, from the Liburnska Coast to the upgraded quay.
We should be enjoying an even more beautiful and sparkling Zadar waterfront by December next year, at the latest.