Matulji – Lupoglav section of the Adriatic highway was opened in 1981. and after 30 years it is in dire need of upgrade. Currently, construction of the second carriageway on this section is in design stage, but there were also upgrades on the existing section done, especially in the last couple of years. This was necessary because of the increase of traffic, but also because of large increase in residential construction on the outskirts of the highway corridor, and sometimes even in the corridor. In 2006, BINA Istra as the concessionaire of the Istrian Y, which Matulji-Učka is a part of, decided on three main points of upgrade on the existing section.
These were construction of the merging lanes on the existing Veprinac interchange (Phase 1), construction of the new Anđeli interchange (Phase 2) and construction of the 2km long slow vehicles lane from Frančići viaduct to Anđeli viaduct (Phase 3). After conceptual design of the proposed upgrades, which explored multiple variants and options, final decision was made by the concessionaire that on Veprinac interchange merging lanes for vehicles connecting onto the highway in both Učka and Matulji direction should be designed, new Anđeli intersection will be designed to increase traffic safety and slow vehicles lane will be designed on the mountain side of the existing carriageway to allow for retaining of traffic throughout the construction period. This paper will focus on the design and construction of the new Anđeli interchange, from the conceptual design that included multiple variant options in 2006 to finalization of the project and opening of the interchange for use in the summer of 2012.

infrastructure; road design; highway; interchange design; upgrade