The future Peljesac Bridge may be bascule bridge! How cool !

The Croatian newspaper Jutarnji list, just published this image:

as a possible solution for the Peljesac Bridge.

The good thing about it is that this kind of bridge will allow large ships to sail underneath of it, so the Bosnian port of Neum will not be affected by it’s presence.

About Bascule Bridges:

A bascule bridge is a drawbridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or “leaf”, throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic. Bascule is a French term for seesaw and balance, and bascule bridges operate along the same principle. They are the most common type of movable bridge in existence because they open quickly and require relatively little energy to operate.

Although the bascule bridge has been in use since ancient times, it was not until the 1850s that engineers developed the ability to move very long, heavy spans quickly enough for practical application. Nikolaevsky Bridge across Neva in Saint Petersburg was the first large bascule bridge, opened 1850. Since then, all bridges across Neva and other major rivers in the city (total 21) were bascule, to provide navigation, and not allowing city inhabitants to travel across the river at night (this remained so until 2003 when the first cable-stayed bridge across Neva was open).

Probably the most famous bascule bridge in the world is Tower Bridge across the Thames in London. Originally, the Tower Bridge was a hydraulically operated bridge, using steam power from coal-burning boilers which was stored in six accumulators so that power was readily available when required. The water for the boilers was provided by a well. The steam accumulators fed the engines, which powered the bascules. Today, the bascule mechanism is driven by oil and electricity rather than by steam.

The variant that has below deck counterweights and no superstructure is called a Chicago bascule as this type was developed there and is used for many of that city’s river crossings.

( text and bridge animation source “about bascule bridges” : Wikipedia )

Last weekend some local fishermen from Lumbarda have found an unusual fish floating around the Lumbarda beach.

The fish was identified by an expert biologist as Trachipterus Trachypterus (see above photo) which is very rare to be seen in Korcula?s and indeed Adriatic?s waters as this fish usually lives in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as in Eastern Mediterranean.

The body of the fish is long, silver and flat, with distinctive dots on the side. The dosal fin is bright pink and extends all the way to the tail. The fish was only 20 cm long but these species can grow up to 3 meters.

The interesting thing about it is that it lives usually at a depth of 500 m, so being on the surface of Lumbarda?s waters, makes this fish disorientated due to changes in light and pressure.

Link : Read more about Fishing around Korcula

Korcula is getting additional parking place at the outskirts of the Korcula Old Town. New parking space is being built near Korcula’s cemetary which is located about 5 minutes walk from Korcula’s town centre. The new parking lot will provide about 25o places for cars and other vehicles. This is a great news for pedestrians and cyclist in Korcula as it seems thing are really moving on.

People are working to meet deadline for new parking lot to be finished by the end of May. These photos are taken on the site just few days ago.

Photos : Roko Taxi Boat and Apartments

There is some good news coming from sources close to the Korculan Town Authorities about the new regulations of traffic in Korcula Town for the next summer season (mid June to mid September).

The reason for this consideration is the amount of traffic in the town, which become almost unbearable in the summer.

Everyone who visited Korcula in last few years has noticed that traffic and parking in the town is chaotic and out of control. Although local people and visitors were regularly complaining about traffic, it was in vain. Last summer (2005) was one of the worst summers as far as traffic was concerned. However, it seems the time has come for those who are in charge to now seriously consider the introduction of restrictive measures as it is obvious, status quo is not possible any more.

One new measure that is considered, is to abolish parking in Sveti Nikola promenade or to totally abolish traffic in that street and leave it as a pedestrian-only area.

Also, during the summer season authorities are considering to generally restrict entrance to the town for motor vehicles, as well as to introduce much higher parking charges for existing parking places.

Furthermore, we are expecting from local authorities to pedestrianise at least some crucial areas around Korcula Old Town (West and East Pier) to make Korcula more acceptable in terms of traffic.

Related Links:
Parking in Korcula
Korcula Town

02.03.06 - Company that runs catamaran/ passenger only ferry service Korcula-Hvar-Split announced it’s recent aquisition of new fast ship.

The ship, built in France, was bought recently in Singapore for sole purpouse to serve this route.

This speedy ship is much faster and larger then catamarans “Krila” and “Mala Lara” that are currently sailing on this route.

The new ship called “Krilo Express” is 36.5 m long and 7.8 meters wide. This fast ship can carry up to 270 passengers at the speed of 32 knots.

We have recently been informed by the company that owns the ship, that it will begin it’s saling at the end of March 2006 instead of catamaran “Krilo”, which is currenlty serving this route.

Related links:
Fast passenger only ferry service Korcula- Hvar - Split Timetable
Guide to Split
Guide to Hvar

UPDATE: Latest news about this ferry line

21.02.06 - Ferry Prapratno on Peljesac to Mljet ( Sobra) :

According to Croatian newspapers Slobodna Dalmacija, in the period between 01.04.06 and 01.06.06 , two additional ferry lines will be introduced between Croatian Mainland and Island Mljet. During next summer season it is expected these new ferries are going to sail four or five times daily.

Ferry teminal in Prapratno bay at Peljesac peninsula is expected to be opened at the begining of April 2006. It is expected that these ferry lines will be run by Jadrolinija Ferry Company.

Work on new ferry harbour in Prapratno on Peljesac will be compleated within 135 days and the total price for this project is 12 milion kuna.

Prapratno Harbour on Peljesac Peninsula is on 5.5 nautic miles from Island Mljet ( Sobra) . New ferries will carry up to 300 passangers and up to 60 vehicles up to 5 times daily. The journey is expected to last 1/2 hr only.

More info:
Large Map of Ferries Mljet-Peljesac
about Mjet
about Peljesac

According to official Croatian News Agency HINA , the latest request is comming from Bosnian Government regarding future construction of Peljesac Bridge.

Bosnians are requsting that the hight of the bridge shoud be at least 40 meters, to enable larger ships ( with lenght up to 200 m ) to pass underneth the bridge and reach Neum Harbour.

The full proposal from Bosnian Government bodies about future Peljesac Bridge are expected to be submitted by the end of May 2006 for further negotiations.

Read More about Peljesac Bridge :

Peljesac Bridge Map and Facts

Peljesac Bridge Tensions

Peljesac Bridge Construction works started

Read More about Peljesac:

About Peljesac

Peljesac travel Forum