ABSTRACT
The construction of Pelješac Bridge and of the roads connected to the bridge is currently the largest and most ambitious infrastructure project in Croatia. The project was completed largely on time thanks to the use of reinforced soil technique. Preliminary project foresaw conventional and expensive viaducts to bypass the deep valleys intercepted by the road layout. To reduce the cost and to increase the construction rate, replacement of traditional viaducts in Doli and Brijesta with geogrid reinforced embankments was proposed. This solution turned out to be cheaper and faster respect the traditional ones; on the base of the time and cost effectiveness of the reinforced soil solution, it has been decided to modify the design of wing walls and abutments of the Dumanja Jaruga viaduct, crossing a valley over 25 m deep. Design and construction of the above strategic infrastructures were a great challenge and certainly a great success, thanks to the great work done by the general contractor, who was able to finish the job very precisely and accurately, despite the logistical difficulties given by the position and by the time scheduled imposed by the construction of the bridge support structure.
