07.09.2021.
The contract was signed at Skywalk Biokovo lookout, for which the Fund provided HRK 1.7 million to be used for improving the visitor infrastructure in Biokovo Nature Park.The contract for co-financing of the project “Reducing traffic congestion on the road to Biokovo Skywalk” was signed by the general manager of the Public Institution Biokovo Nature Park, Slavo Jakša, and the director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Siniša Kukić.
“Skywalk Biokovo is an outstanding structure, and the photos of it have overwhelmed the social networks as an essential vacation souvenir,” said the director of the Fund, Siniša Kukić, adding that the project was worth HRK 2.1 million, of which the Fund provided 1.7 million, or 80% of eligible cots. “The contract we signed today is a good indicator of how NP Biokovo is continuously investing in their infrastructure,” said Kukić.
The sightseers mainly use their own cars to visit and there are many traffic jams on the mountainous Biokovo road that is primarily one-way, meaning that cars coming from the opposite direction cannot pass. “The project of expanding the existing lay-bys is essential to improve the traffic situation without any significant interventions in the area,” said state secretary at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development Mario Šiljeg, PhD.
“The Skywalk walkway at 1228 meters above sea level is a unique structure offering a shot of adrenaline to the visitors as it juts out of the cliff edge over the gorge below. I believe that it is very important to introduce all types of available co-financing into these types of investments, and to make the visits to Biokovo as safe as possible for our guests. We are therefore grateful to the Fund for their support by co-financing this project under the New Adrion Project – Promotion of Sustainable Use of Natural Heritage of Biokovo Nature Park, as part of which the Skywalk has been built,” said Slavo Jakša, the manager of Biokovo NP.
Parties to the contract agreed that Croatia as an EU member has the opportunity to use EU co-financing and that is should be utilised as much as possible for the implementation of large and complex projects, and EU grant funding was secured for the project New Adrion. “The project is worth 35 million kunas, of which the Fund provided HRK 5 million. We consider this an investment in further development of our tourist offer and contributing to the valorisation of this region, and also an investment in the protection of the environment, which is the obligation of each and every one of us,” concluded Kukić.
