Imagine this: Zagreb, the heart of Croatia, is in total traffic chaos, and the reason? No, it’s not a Thompson concert or some big event, but the replacement of old water pipes on Ilica Street! Yes, you read that right. Ilica, one of the busiest streets in Zagreb, has been in traffic mayhem for three weeks due to works moving at a snail’s pace. Drivers are stuck in traffic jams so bad it feels like the whole city has come to a standstill.
The works started in mid-June, aiming to replace old pipes dating back to the 19th century. The plan was to renew several hundred meters of pipes this summer, but as it stands, the works are slow, and citizens are worried. Photos of empty construction sites with pipes laid out and parked excavators but no workers only fuel suspicions that nothing is being done.
The city responded that works run from 7 AM to 7 PM, adjusted for weather conditions, and on the hottest days, work lasted only until 5 PM. Still, according to them, the works are ahead of schedule, currently preparing water supply connections.
However, the reality on the ground is different. Traffic is in gridlock, and drivers are forced to sit in jams for hours, with congestion spreading to surrounding streets. Trams are currently running smoothly but may be halted if the works require it.
This chaos on Ilica is not just a problem for drivers but for all Zagreb residents who use this road daily. Whether the works will finish on time by early September remains to be seen. But one thing is clear — citizens’ patience is running thin, and the question is how much longer they can endure such traffic blockades.
If you’re stuck in these jams too, know you’re not alone! Maybe it’s time to ask yourself — is this situation due to poor planning or someone’s incompetence? Or is it part of some bigger game? Either way, Ilica is currently the place where patience and nerves are tested to the max.
Got your own Ilica story? How are you surviving this traffic nightmare? Share your experience, maybe together we’ll find a solution or at least get a good laugh while stuck in traffic!
