Floods close off sections of key motorway
Ljubljana, 4 August - Devastating floods that have hit swathes of Slovenia have closed off a section of the A1 motorway between Ljubljana and Maribor while DARS, the company running the motorways, expects the fast deteriorating situation may lead to closures elsewhere. It is in talks to divert transit traffic away from Slovenia.
Štajerska region
Inundated Štajerska motorway.
Photo: DARS
Celje
The Savinja in the city of Celje, east-central Slovenia, after a night of heavy rain.
Photo: Urška Kristan Kastner/STA
The A1 motorway is currently closed between Žalec and Šentrupert in the direction of Ljubljana and between Vransko and Žalec in the direction of Celje.
"DARS, along with the police, is making every effort to ensure the safety of motorway users and to rescue vehicles trapped at closed motorway sections. All trapped drivers and their passengers should wait for the emergency teams and follow their instructions," the state-run company said in a press release on Friday.
DARS is in talks with its counterparts in Italy and Austria to divert transit traffic through these two neighbouring countries.
Elsewhere in the country motorways are still passable for the time being, but DARS has warned this could change quickly.
On the A2 motorway between Ljubljana and Kranj, the slip road connecting to Ljubljana airport is closed off in the direction of the capital city.
Drivers are urged not to head out unless necessary and to follow the situation via the road information centre www.promet.si or the call number 1970.
Floods have also closed off some rail links, including the railway between Ljubljana and Jesenice. Bus services have been organised instead.
Buses services replacing the international rail services between Ljubljana and Austria's Villach do not provide for transport of people on wheelchairs, bicycles or pets, the Slovenian railway company said.