Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

This post is also available in: Slovenian English Österreich Bosnian Dutch Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Finnish French German Hungarian Italian Polish Serbian Slovak Spanish Swedish Swiss

Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

For the past month, the road across the Vršič Pass has been closed most of the day on weekdays due to renovation works. Midweek, resurfacing on the Gorenjska side is expected to be completed, and the road will be reopened.
On Monday, October 13
, however, a two-week test of a barrier system will begin.

This arrangement will be in effect during the three busiest summer months –
from June 15 to September 15
– while at other times, the barriers will remain raised. The new traffic regime was once again discussed yesterday in Trenta.

The road across the Vršič Pass, situated at an elevation of just over 1,600 meters above sea level, is one of the most scenic panoramic roads in Slovenia, and also one of the most congested during the summer months. Last autumn, reconstruction work began, including the creation of 90 parking spaces at the top of the pass. In spring, the worst sections on the Primorska side were resurfaced, and now work is being completed on the Gorenjska side, from the Koča na Gozdu hut to the top.
“At all the bends where there were cobblestones, we removed them and resurfaced with asphalt. These sections were extremely dangerous for driving. The cobblestones have been stored, and in the coming years, we expect conditions from the Kranjska Gora unit of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia under which we will be able to fully reconstruct the road from the middle up to the top. Our priority is to keep the road safe and passable. With this resurfacing, I believe it will serve that purpose for at least the next five years until full reconstruction,” explained Jernej Pavlič from the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The Road Across Vršič Will Reopen, Renovation to Continue in Autumn of 2025

Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

90 Parking Spaces to Be Provided at the top

Roadside barriers are also being installed to prevent parking along the road, and work on the parking areas at the summit is ongoing, with completion scheduled for next year. Although there is more space at the top of Vršič, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and other authorities granted permission for only 90 parking spaces, Pavlič reiterated.

Traffic will be managed with two barriers on each side: the left lane for transit, the right for parking. A parking ticket must already be collected in the valley; otherwise, parking at the top will not be possible. Transit will not be time-restricted, so visitors will still be able to continue to the Soča spring or mountain huts below the pass without concern. The technology will be tested for two weeks starting October 13, with adjustments made before the following season.

“We’ll be testing the entire system – cash registers, barriers, license plate recognition, and signal strength (which is weak at both points), as well as the process of collecting tickets and barrier operations, so that when someone uses the transit lane, the system automatically recognises it and opens the barrier on the other side,” said Pavlič.

Parking is Free During Testing, and the Summer Price is Still Unknown

Parking during the trial period will be free. The price for next summer will be decided jointly by the municipalities of Bovec and Kranjska Gora. Revenue will cover the cost of attendants and supervisors. Digital signs will be installed at key points to display occupancy, and a free shuttle bus will operate from both sides during the summer. A draft timetable will be presented to the municipalities this week. Bus stops are also being designed and permits obtained in Trenta, a request locals have long been making. However, they once again pointed out that a key stop near the intersection for the Soča spring is missing. They welcomed the news that a camera and road-surface temperature sensor will be installed at the summit as part of the renovation, helping drivers stay informed about winter conditions. Pavlič estimates the total cost of all works and measures, including the free bus, at €10 million.

The Road Across Vršič Will Reopen, Renovation to Continue in Autumn of 2025

Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

Mixed Reactions from Locals

Local reactions to the proposed system are mixed. At two previous presentations, residents complained that the solution was presented too late, after the system had already been finalised. Still, local Božo Bradaškja remains cautiously optimistic:

“I hope this traffic regime will at least bring some order. However, the real problems lie elsewhere: excessive noise and congestion. That will have to be dealt with in the future.”

He also believes Trenta has too few parking spaces for those who might want to leave their car and use the bus. The barrier car park has only 17 spaces, and the valley as a whole doesn’t have many.

Others see no sense in placing the barriers in the valley instead of at the summit parking area.

“All parking lots are set up that way. Why are these barriers 20 kilometres lower? The parking lot will be empty for twenty minutes before anyone reaches the top, and again when leaving before they reach the barrier,” asks Edo Gregorič.

Pavlič explained that barriers at the summit would not solve the chaos there, which is why they had to be set lower, allowing drivers to decide earlier – either for transit or for the free bus – if parking is full.
Mitja Lo Duca from Kekčeva domačija, near the Soča spring, fears that all spaces will be occupied from morning to evening.
“I’ve long warned that the system is flawed, especially because there are far too few spaces at the summit. I think negotiations should have been made. In the long run, the only solution for this valley is to make access to Vršič toll-based if we want to preserve nature for future generations. I think the majority here agrees. Over the past 30 years, we’ve attracted many high-quality visitors who express concerns about the direction things are headed. We don’t need guests who race through the valley, but those who appreciate nature and contribute something. Abroad, there are plenty of good examples – we don’t need to reinvent the wheel.”
Residents have repeatedly suggested charging for road use or implementing a vignette system for Triglav National Park, as well as measures to control noise and speed. However, ministry representatives replied that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, as well as Triglav National Park. They suggested that they be invited to the talks along with the Institutes for Cultural Heritage and Nature Conservation.
Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

Barrier System to Be Tested for Two Weeks on the Vršič Pass Starting October 13

Source and Author: Mariša Bizjak, Radio Koper

Accommodation in a mountain hut

https://www.erjavcevakoca.si/ Slovenščina https://www.erjavcevakoca.co.uk/ English https://www.erjavcevakoca.co.uk/ English https://www.erjavcevakoca.ba/ Bosanski https://www.erjavcevakoca.be/ Dutch https://www.erjavcevakoca.hr/ Hrvatski https://www.erjavcevakoca.cz/ Čeština https://www.erjavcevakoca.dk/ Dansk https://www.erjavcevakoca.nl/ Dutch https://www.erjavcevakoca.fi/ Suomi https://www.erjavcevakoca.fr/ Français https://www.erjavcevakoca.de/ Deutsch https://www.erjavcevakoca.hu/ Magyar https://www.erjavcevakoca.it/ Italiano https://www.erjavcevakoca.pl/ Polski https://www.erjavcevakoca.rs/ српски https://www.erjavcevakoca.sk/ Slovenčina https://www.erjavcevakoca.es/ Español https://www.erjavcevakoca.se/ Svenska https://www.erjavcevakoca.ch/ Deutsch

Trips and Hikes around the hut

Trips and Hikes on the map

Slovenia (en) Placeholder
Slovenia (en)

Your next destination in slovenia?

Erjavceva mountain hut at Vrsic pass in summer

Erjavčeva mountain hut is open the whole year. Reserve your stay and spend some time in the natural paradise of Triglav National Park (UNESCO) near Kranjska Gora on Vršič mountain pass in the heart of Triglav National Park.

Reserve your stay
https://www.erjavcevakoca.si/ Slovenščina https://www.erjavcevakoca.co.uk/ English https://www.erjavcevakoca.co.uk/ English https://www.erjavcevakoca.ba/ Bosanski https://www.erjavcevakoca.be/ Dutch https://www.erjavcevakoca.hr/ Hrvatski https://www.erjavcevakoca.cz/ Čeština https://www.erjavcevakoca.dk/ Dansk https://www.erjavcevakoca.nl/ Dutch https://www.erjavcevakoca.fi/ Suomi https://www.erjavcevakoca.fr/ Français https://www.erjavcevakoca.de/ Deutsch https://www.erjavcevakoca.hu/ Magyar https://www.erjavcevakoca.it/ Italiano https://www.erjavcevakoca.pl/ Polski https://www.erjavcevakoca.rs/ српски https://www.erjavcevakoca.sk/ Slovenčina https://www.erjavcevakoca.es/ Español https://www.erjavcevakoca.se/ Svenska https://www.erjavcevakoca.ch/ Deutsch

Souvenirs Online Shop

-30%
Original price was: 20 €.Current price is: 14 €.
-30%
Original price was: 20 €.Current price is: 14 €.
-30%
Original price was: 20 €.Current price is: 14 €.
-30%
Original price was: 20 €.Current price is: 14 €.
Free shipping for billing over 40 
Send this to a friend