DARS through time
Reducing distance for more than 20 years.
DARS through time
The renovation works of all 12 small rest areas on the highway network have been completed. They are now modernized with a uniform comprehensive design, and most importantly, more user-friendly.
The classic vignette stickers on vehicles were replaced by electronic vignettes tied to the vehicle registration number, which is entered into the central tolling system upon purchase of the e-vignette. On 1 December 2021, we introduced the yearly e-vignette for all vehicles and the half-year vignette for motor vehicles, followed by the weekly and monthly e-vignette on 1 February 2022.
Construction works for the eastern tube of the Karavanke tunnel commenced on the Gorenjska motorway leg. Works also commenced on the northern part of the 3rd development axis, i.e. on the expressway section between Velenje and Slovenj Gradec. Due to measures to contain the COVID-19 epidemic, motorway and expressway traffic declined, which yielded less toll revenue and affected Company operations.
On 6 September 2016, DARS and the consortium of Telekom Slovenije d.d. and Q-Free ASA, Norway, signed a contract about the establishment and operation of a multi-lane electronic tolling system in the free traffic flow on motorways and expressways for vehicles whose maximum permissible weight exceeds 3,500 kg (heavy vehicles). The system is based on a microwave technology with the standardized frequency of 5.8GHz. 125 gantries are installed above motorways and expressways between junctions along the entire motorway system. After the implementation of the new system of tolling on 1 April 2018, toll stations will be gradually removed from our motorways.
After the introduction of the DarsGo system for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, toll stations on the Slovenian motorway network are no longer needed. Prior to the main tourist season, we started removing and rearranging toll stations, which will be gradually removed within two years. Removal is difficult due to the construction specifics and it is performed under heavy traffic. Removal of toll stations will improve traffic flow, eliminate occasional bottlenecks and increase traffic safety.
The Markovec double tunnel became the newest addition to the Slovenian motorway network. With the total length of 2,1 kilometres, it is the fourth longest Slovenian tunnel. The total quantity of soil dug up during construction amounted to 370,000 cubic metres, which would equal a 60-kilometre long train consisting of 4,800 4-axle cars.
The vignette system was implemented for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. It replaced the old system of paying toll at toll stations, which had been in place before.
A four-lane motorway between Maribor and Pince (near the Hungarian border) was opened for traffic. With the unveiling of the last, 26-kilometre long section between Lenart and Vučja vas, the east part of Slovenia became connected. The section between Vučja vas and Beltinci, which was opened for traffic in 2003, boasts the longest bridge on Slovenian roads. Measuring 833 metres and weighing 16,000 tonnes, the bridge spanning the Mura river is the longest and heaviest push launched bridge in Slovenia. Its surface area is 23,257 square metres.
The traffic information centre for public roads (»Prometno-informacijski center za državne ceste« or »PIC« for short) began its operations. It has since become our reliable fellow passenger, providing information about road conditions, as well as interconnecting the safety and comfort of drivers with the uninterrupted traffic flow. PIC builds its trust by providing reliable and real-time traffic information, which is being improved annually with new, technically upgraded tools.
Šentilj in the north-east and Koper in the south-west were connected by means of a motorway. Due to the geologically and geomechanically difficult and varied terrain, the part between Vransko and Blagovica is one of the most difficult motorway sections in Slovenia. The first section between Vransko and Trojane was opened for traffic in 2002, with the section between Trojane and Blagovica following in 2005. The section also boasts the longest double tunnel in Slovenia – the Trojane tunnel, measuring 2931 in length.
The Črni Kal viaduct was opened for traffic, the most complex bridging object built on Slovenian motorways so far. It spans the Osp valley with 2 supporting end columns and 11 pillars, measuring 1065 metres in length. The highest pillar is 95 metres tall.
Initially a state-owned public enterprise, DARS d.d. transformed into a joint-stock company. At the end of 2003, DARS d.d. acquired and merged the then state-owned PVAC (Podjetje za vzdrževanje avtocest, d.o.o.) and all its employees. DARS became the managing and maintenance company for all constructed motorways, infrastructure and equipment, along with acquiring the obligation of toll collection. By executing national motorway programmes and managing the motorway network, DARS d.d. has ensured quality motorways and expressways for its users.
On the Styrian motorway branch, the closed system of tolling transformed into an open one – the toll station allows entering and exiting at the same time, while the toll fee depends on the fixed charging length, not on the actual distance driven. The driver pays the toll only in the event of driving through the station.
A new, modern system of tolling was implemented – the ABC system. It was first implemented at the Torovo toll station as a test, and was intended for personal vehicles. With the introduction of the vignette in 2008, ABC on-board devices began being used by freight vehicle drivers. The ABC system facilitates a quick bypass of the toll station – up to 5 km/h on combined lanes and 40 km/h on quick lanes.
DARS was established on 7 December 1993 as the manager and maintainer of Slovenian motorways and expressways. It is owned entirely by the Republic of Slovenia and started its operations on 1 January 1994.
The Karavanke road tunnel was opened for traffic on 1 June. Measuring 7863 metres in length, it is the longest road tunnel in Slovenia so far. With it opened the most important traffic connection between West and South Europe for both personal and freight traffic. It is the only single tunnel in Slovenia. At the time of its unveiling, the Karavanke road tunnel was the ninth longest motorway tunnel in the European Alps and the sixteenth longest motorway tunnel in the world. The length of the Slovenian part of the tunnel is 3750 metres.
Slovenia and the then Yugoslavia saw the construction of the first section of a modern 4-lane motorway. The section between Vrhnika and Postojna is 30 km long. Its construction began in May 1970, and opened for traffic on 29 December 1972.