A1 motorway (Slovenia)

The A1 motorway (Slovene: avtocesta A1), also known as Slovenika, is 245.3 km (152.4 mi) long, connecting Šentilj (at the Austrian border) and Koper/Capodistria (on the shores of the Adriatic Sea). It connects several of the largest metropolitan areas of the country, including Maribor, Celje and Ljubljana, all the way to the Slovenian Littoral and port town of Koper.

A1 Motorway
Avtocesta A1
A1 motorway at Vodole
Route information
Part of E57 / E59 / E61 / E70
Length	245.3 km (152.4 mi)
Major junctions
From	A 9 in Austria
Major intersections	H2 near Pesnica A5 near Dragučova H2 near Spodnje Hoče A4 near Spodnje Hoče H3 near Ljubljana A2 near Ljubljana H4 near Razdrto A3 near Gabrk
To	H5 near Ankaran
Location
Country	Slovenia
Major cities	Maribor, Celje, Ljubljana, Postojna, Koper
Highway system
Highways in Slovenia

Construction began in 1970 and the first section was finished in 1972, connecting Vrhnika and Postojna. Everyday operation of this initial stretch started on 29 December 1972.^[1]

The connection to Koper was finished on 23 November 2004. The second-to-last part, from Trojane to Blagovica, was opened on 12 August 2005. It was also the most expensive, having eight viaducts and two tunnels despite being only 11 km long. The final section, the eastern Maribor bypass, opened on 14 August 2009.^[2]

Route description

The A1 motorway provides connection of Slovenia and Austria (only other motorway with border crossing to Austria being A2 motorway) and was from the very start an important route, because it connected the three largest cities in Slovenia – Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje. On the other hand, it also connected all those cities with Slovenian coast and provided better conditions for transit to Port of Koper. As of 2013 it is also the only motorway that is connected to all the other motorways in Slovenia.

As of 2013 motorway always has at least two traffic lanes in each direction and is rarely without emergency lane. On some parts it has three traffic lanes in one direction and two in another (usually the additional is for slow vehicles). Only Tunnel Golovec has three lanes in each direction. It was also planned that some other parts of highway will get additional lanes but most of plans were postponed due to lack of money.^[3]

Toll

The toll station at Log pri Brezovici

Until 1 July 2008 all vehicles had to stop at tollgates and pay a toll. Since that date vignettes are required for all vehicles up to 3.5 tons, while heavier vehicles must still pay the toll at a tollgate. Tollgates are being rearranged so that two traffic lanes for lighter vehicles (with vignettes) are no longer divided by tollgates and vehicles can drive through at 60 kilometres per hour (37 miles per hour). Where tollgates are still standing as they were before 1 July 2008, the speed limit is 40 kilometres per hour (25 miles per hour). Since 2018, heavy vehicles need to pay toll with an electronic on-board unit attached on the windscreen and tollgates are not needed anymore.

There are six toll stations for heavier vehicles Pesnica, Tepanje, Vransko, Kompolje, Log and Videž. For R3 group it ranges from €3.40 to €19.60, together €47.10 at daytime (6 AM-10 PM) and from €3.00 to €17.60, together €42.30 at night (10 PM-6 AM). For R4 group it ranges from €4.90 to €28.30, together €68.20 at daytime (6 AM-10 PM) and from €4.40 to €25.50, together €61.40 at night (10 PM-6 AM).^[4]

Notable structures

When most parts of motorway were already done, there came two parts that were something special, meaning tunnels near Trojane^[5] with most notable being Tunnel Trojane with length of almost 3 kilometres and thus second longest tunnel in Slovenia (the longest being Karavanke Tunnel) and viaduct Črni Kal, the longest viaduct in Slovenia, being longer than 1 kilometer and also 95 metres high.^[6]

Junction list

Exit[3]	km	Name	Destination	Notes
	0	Austria	A 9 E57 E59	The northern terminus of the route; northbound A1 traffic defaults to the Austrian Pyhrnautobahn (A9) leading to Graz; border
1	1	Šentilj	R437 R438	Connection to Pesnica (437), Trate and Gornja Radgona (438); modified diamond interchange
2	11	Maribor-sever	H2 G3 R437	Modified roundabout interchange with H2 (Zahodna obvoznica Maribora) leading through western part of Maribor, connection to Lenart, Radenci, Dolga Vas (3) and Šentilj (437)
3	12	Junction Dragučova	A5 E653	Full Y interchange with A5 motorway leading to Hungary through state border Pince
4	17	Maribor-vzhod	Zrkovci	Local road through Zrkovci, connected with road 710, leading to Vurberk and Ptuj; modified diamond interchange
5	21	Maribor-center	G1	Connection to either Dravograd and Vič or Hajdina (1); folded diamond interchange
6	23	Rogoza	R450	Connection to either Hoče or Maribor Airport (450); four ramp partial cloverleaf interchange
7	25	Junction Slivnica	A4 E59 R430	Interchange with A4 motorway (also route E59) currently leading to Razcep Draženci and connection to either Maribor or Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice and Celje (430)
8	29	Fram	R711	Connection to Rače, Kungota and Kidričevo (711); trumpet interchange
9	37	Slovenska Bistrica-sever	G2	Connection to Ptuj and Ormož (2); full Y interchange
10	39	Slovenska Bistrica-jug	R430	Connection to either Maribor or Slovenske Konjice and Celje (430); trumpet interchange
11	48	Slovenske Konjice	R430 R686	Connection to either Maribor and Slovenska Bistrica or Celje (430), Žiče and Dramlje (686); trumpet interchange
12	59	Dramlje	R234 R686	Connection to Dole, Šentjur (234), Žiče and Tepanje; trumpet interchange
13	65	Celje-vzhod	Leskovec	Local road in Leskovec; full way interchange
14	67	Celje-center	R430	Connection to Slovenske Konjice, Slovenska Bistrica and Maribor (430); trumpet interchange
15	73	Celje-vzhod	G5	Connection to either Arja Vas or Zidani Most, Krško and Drnovo (5); dumbbell interchange
16	75	Žalec	G4 R451	Connection to Velenje, Slovenj Gradec, Dravograd (4) and to road 447 (451); diamond interchange
17	82	Šempeter	R694	Connection to Velenje; modified diamond interchange
18	84	Šentrupert	R225	Connection to Soteska, Mozirje, Radmirje, Črnivec, Stahovica, Kamnik, Duplica and Mengeš (225); diamond interchange
19	92	Vransko	R447	Connection to either Šempeter, Žalec and Arja Vas or Trojane, Blagovica and Trzin; four ramp partial cloverleaf interchange
20	102	Trojane	R221 R447	Connection to Izlake, Trbovlje, Hrastnik, Šmarjeta (221) and either Šempeter, Žalec, Arja Vas and Ločica or Blagovica and Trzin (447)
21	113	Blagovica	R447	Connection to either Trojane, Šempeter, Žalec, Arja Vas and Ločica or Trzin (447)
22	120	Lukovica pri Domžalah	R447	Connection to either Blagovica, Trojane, Šempeter, Žalec, Arja Vas and Ločica or Trzin (447); interchange with rest area
23	124	Krtina	R415	Connection to Želodnik, Drtija and Izlake; four ramp partial cloverleaf interchange
24	127	Domžale	R447	Connection to Trzin, Blagovica, Šempeter, Žalec, Arja Vas and Ločica (447); full Y interchange
25	133	Ljubljana-Šentjakob	G108	Connection to Litija, Hrastnik and Zidani Most (108); diamond interchange
26	134	Ljubljana-Sneberje	R644	Connection to Šentjakob, Domžale and Duplica (644); four ramp partial cloverleaf interchange
27	135	Junction Zadobrova	H3 H3	Full Y interchange with H3 (Severna obvoznica Ljubljane) leading through northern part of Ljubljana
28	136	Industrijska cona Moste	Industrijska cona Moste	Local road; exit just in direction Koper – Maribor
29	137	Ljubljana-vzhod	Zaloška cesta	Street in Ljubljana; diamond interchange
30	138	Ljubljana-Bizovik	R645	Connection to Šmartno pri Litiji (645); diamond interchange
31	142	Junction Malence	A2 E70	Full Y interchange with A2 motorway (also route E70), leading to Novo Mesto and Brežice
32	142	Ljubljana-jug	R642	Connection to Ig and Vrhnika (642); trumpet interchange
33	144	Ljubljana-Rudnik	R642	Connection to Ig and Vrhnika (642); trumpet interchange
34	147	Ljubljana-center	Barjanska cesta	Street in Ljubljana; four ramp partial cloverleaf interchange
35	149	Ljubljana-zahod	Tržaška cesta	Street in Ljubljana; trumpet interchange
36	150	Junction Kozarje	A2 E61 E70	Full Y interchange with A2 motorway (also route E61 and E70), leading to Kranj and Jesenice
37	152	Brezovica pri Ljubljani	R409 R641	Connection to Vrhnika, Logatec, Postojna, Razdrto, Kozina (409) and Ljubljana (641); trumpet interchange
38	165	Vrhnika	R409	Connection either to Vrhnika, Logatec, Postojna, Razdrto and Kozina or Ljubljana (409); trumpet interchange
39	173	Logatec	G102	Connection to Idrija, Tolmin and Kobarid (102); trumpet interchange
40	183	Unec	R212	Connection to Cerknica and Sodražica (212); four ramp partial cloverleaf interchange
41	195	Postojna	G6	Connection to Ilirska Bistrica and Jelšane (6); four ramp partial cloverleaf interchange
42	204	Razdrto	R409	Connection either to Postojna, Logatec, Vrhnika and Ljubljana or Kozina (409)
43	206	Junction Razdrto	H4 H4	Semi-directional T interchange with H4 (Vipavska hitra cesta) leading to Vipava and Italy
44	211	Senožeče	R445	Connection to Sežana and Fernetiči (445); trumpet interchange
45	216	Junction Gabrk	A3 E70	Semi-directional T interchange with A3 motorway (also route E70), leading to Sežana and Italy
46	219	Divača	R409	Connection either to Razdrto, Postojna, Logatec, Vrhnika and Ljubljana or Kozina (409); trumpet interchange
47	226	Kozina	G7 R409	Connection to Krvavi potok (7), Razdrto, Postojna, Logatec, Vrhnika and Ljubljana (409); trumpet interchange
48	235	Kastelec	R409	Connection to Kozina, Razdrto, Postojna, Logatec, Vrhnika and Ljubljana (409); modified diamond interchange
49	238	Črni kal	R208 R409	Connection to Rižana (208), Kozina Razdrto, Postojna, Logatec, Vrhnika and Ljubljana (409); trumpet interchange
50	244	Junction Srmin	H5 E751	The western terminus of the route; northbound and westbound A1 traffic defaults to the H5 expressway (also route E751) leading to Škofije and Koper respectively

Tunnels

The motorway includes ten tunnels, two galleries and one covered cut:

• Gallery Dragučova right and left 160 m (520 ft)
• Vodole right 249 m (817 ft), Vodole left 247 m (810 ft)
• Covered cut Malečnik right and left 185 m (607 ft)
• Golo rebro right 788 m (2,585 ft), Golo rebro left 757 m (2,484 ft)
• Pletovarje right 708 m (2,323 ft), Pletovarje left 745 m (2,444 ft)
• Ločica right 750 m (2,460 ft), Ločica left 810 m (2,660 ft)
• Jasovnik right 1,633 m (5,358 ft), Jasovnik left 1,612 m (5,289 ft)
• Trojane right 2,840 m (9,320 ft), Trojane left 2,931 m (9,616 ft)
• Podmilj right 622 m (2,041 ft), Podmilj left 613 m (2,011 ft)
• Gallery Strmec right and left 200 m (660 ft)
• Golovec right 622 m (2,041 ft), Golovec left 595 m (1,952 ft)
• Kastelec right 2,195 m (7,201 ft), Kastelec left 2,303 m (7,556 ft)
• Dekani right 2,190 m (7,190 ft), Dekani left 2,181 m (7,156 ft)

Bridges

The "Harp Bridge" of the A1 motorway that crosses the Ljubljanica

Motorway A1 has 101 viaducts, 109 bridges, 129 overpass in 117 underpass.

Some of the largest viaduct in the A1 (span greater than 500 mm (20 in)):

• Kresnica right 587 m (1,926 ft) and left 587 m (1,926 ft)
• Pekel right 448 m (1,470 ft) and left 448 m (1,470 ft)
• Preloge right and left 558 m (1,831 ft)
• Škedenj I. right 466 m (1,529 ft) and left 563 m (1,847 ft)
• Ločica right 849 m (2,785 ft) and left 869 m (2,851 ft)
• Šentožbolt right 410 m (1,350 ft) and left 541 m (1,775 ft)
• Petelinjek right 622 m (2,041 ft) and left 634 m (2,080 ft)
• Blagovica right 446 m (1,463 ft) and left 426 m (1,398 ft)
• Verd right 620 m (2,030 ft) and left 586 m (1,923 ft)
• Ravbarkomanda right 591 m (1,939 ft) and left 533 m (1,749 ft)
• Črni kal right 1,046 m (3,432 ft) and left 1,048 m (3,438 ft)
• Bivje right 575 m (1,886 ft) and left 563 m (1,847 ft)

The Črni Kal Viaduct is the longest viaduct in Slovenia.

References

1. "Vrhnika – Postojna". Družba za avtoceste v Republiki Sloveniji. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
2. "A1 motorway". Družba za avtoceste v Republiki Sloveniji. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
3. Halabica, Michal. "Exit list". Motorways — Exit Lists. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
4. "Toll prices". Družba za avtoceste v Republiki Sloveniji. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
5. "A1 Vransko – Blagovica". Družba za avtoceste v Republiki Sloveniji. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
6. "A1 Klanec – Srmin". Družba za avtoceste v Republiki Sloveniji. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.