# Western Balkans traffic disruptions persist > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-summer-roadwork-traffic-congestion > Updated: 2026-08-08T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 148. Developments: 28. Traffic congestion in the Western Balkans has intensified through late July and early August. In Bosnia‑Herzegovina, the M‑5 near Vitez recorded over 1.4 million vehicles between 24 June and 24 July, averaging more than 45 000 per day, leading to long queues and a rise in accidents. A newly built five‑kilometre fast‑road segment from Mošunj to Nević Polje remains unusable because it is not yet linked to the existing highway, and work on the next section through Business Centre 96 has not started. Croatian authorities, via the Croatian Auto Club (HAK), warned of growing congestion on the A1 corridor toward the Adriatic and around Zagreb, with queues up to four kilometres on the A1 between Lučko and Bosiljevo 2, on the A2 near Trakošćan, and at the Zagreb‑west junction. Drivers were urged to keep safe distances and respect speed limits. The holiday travel period has further strained border crossings. In Bosnia‑Herzegovina, long vehicle lines were reported at Izačić, Velika Kladuša, Prisika, Osoje, Hum, Deleuša, Kamensko, Novi Grad, Kostajnica and the dual‑direction bottlenecks of Gradina, Deleuša and Zupci. Ongoing road works—including closures on the Cazin‑Ostrožac‑Srbljani stretch, the Golubinja‑Nemila tunnel, and sections of the A1 (Lašva‑Kakanj) and A2 (Sarajevo‑Lepenica)—have forced traffic onto alternate routes. Authorities advised motorists to plan trips carefully, use detours, and be prepared for longer processing times due to the EU Entry/Exit System. In Serbia, a traveler was stopped at the Preševo crossing for an unpaid fine, highlighting increased border checks during the peak season. ## Claims - Waiting times at the Karasovići border exceeded 10 hours, with some reports of up to 28 hours. (corroborated by 22 sources) - High temperatures of 31‑39 °C were reported, prompting advice to avoid long trips and take frequent breaks. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Konavle municipal civil‑protection staff was activated to manage the traffic collapse. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Local residents supplied water and opened facilities for stranded drivers. (corroborated by 18 sources) - 41 497 travelers and 11 741 vehicles were recorded on the Bosnian side of the border during the weekend. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Police redirected traffic and used alternative routes to keep the road to Dubrovnik airport open. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Long vehicle queues are reported at the Izačić, Velika Kladuša, Hum, Kamensko, and Novi Grad border crossings when exiting Bosnia and Herzegovina. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Long queues of passenger vehicles in both directions are recorded at the Gradina, Deleuša, and Zupci border crossings. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Traffic is slowed on numerous road sections due to ongoing construction and road maintenance. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Travelers are experiencing delays when entering Croatia from several border crossings. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-08: Border crossings experience heavy congestion between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia Summer holiday travel is causing heavy traffic and long queues at several border crossings between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, compounded by ongoing roadworks and new EU entry systems. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatias-saturday-transport-disruptions-halt-zagreb-tram-routes-and-cause-highway-jams ### 2026-08-05: Balkans border crossings face traffic jams and travel bans during holiday season Holiday traffic and road works cause long queues at Bosnia‑Herzegovina border crossings, while a Serbian traveler was barred from exiting at Preševo over an unpaid 3,000‑dinar fine. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/balkans-border-crossings-face-traffic-jams-and-travel-bans-during-holiday-season ### 2026-08-03: Konavle border crossing jam threatens summer traffic in Croatia Weekend traffic collapse at the Karasovići border crossing in Konavle, Croatia, created queues up to 15 hours, moving 40,000 people and 12,000 vehicles into Montenegro; experts warn a new toll system could make 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/konavle-border-crossing-jam-threatens-summer-traffic-in-croatia ### 2026-08-01: Karasovići border jam paralyses Konavle, Croatia Long queues over 20 km at the Karasovići border caused 10‑28 hour waits, water shortages and civil‑protection activation in Konavle; police rerouted traffic and HAK reported multi‑hour delays. 65 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/three-fatal-road-accidents-in-bosnias-tuzla-canton-over-two-days ### 2026-07-29: Balkans face worsening highway congestion as construction delays persist Heavy traffic and construction delays on Bosnia’s M‑5 and Croatia’s A‑1/A‑2 motorways spark congestion and safety warnings across the Balkans. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/balkans-face-worsening-highway-congestion-as-construction-delays-persist ### 2026-07-27: Traffic Jam Halts A1 Highway Near Lučko Toll Plaza in Croatia A traffic jam after the Lučko toll booth halted the A1 highway in Croatia on Monday, with drivers exiting cars and long queues caused by several tunnel accidents and heavy southbound flow. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/traffic-jam-halts-a1-highway-near-luko-toll-plaza-in-croatia ### 2026-07-26: Bosnia and Herzegovina traffic jams, border queues and road closures Bosnia and Herzegovina faces heavy traffic: long border queues at Izačić, Gradina, Hum, Zupci; road works close key highway sections; and the Čelić 2026 mountain race blocks the Tuzla‑Dokanj‑Šibošnica road from 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/full-traffic-shutdown-on-tuzladokanjibonica-road-for-eli-2026-hill-race ### 2026-07-18: Road openings improve transport in Croatia's Karansko Brdo and Serbia's Jarak Croatia opened a €230k modernised road in Karansko Brdo, while Serbia completed reconstruction of state road 316 through Jarak, restoring direct traffic and easing travel. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/road-openings-improve-transport-in-croatias-karansko-brdo-and-serbias-jarak ### 2026-07-17: Zagreb construction sites cause prolonged disruptions and public frustration Zagreb residents criticize year‑long roadwork at Savska‑Vukovarska for poor planning, limited staffing and lasting traffic chaos. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-construction-sites-cause-prolonged-disruptions-and-public-frustration ### 2026-07-15: EU Entry/Exit System misidentifies twins, causing border delays EU’s Entry/Exit System misidentified twin travelers, leading to a British woman’s detention in Romania and long border delays for many, especially Bosnians; over 50 000 entry denials reported. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatias-new-biometric-border-checks-trigger-backlash-from-travelers-and-actor-branko-uri ### 2026-07-12: Sarajevo marathon prompts temporary traffic changes on July 12 The 9th Imlek Impact Sarajevo marathon on 12 July will close key streets from 19:45‑22:15, with police managing traffic; over 800 runners from many nations will start at Zetra arena at 20:30. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sarajevo-marathon-prompts-temporary-traffic-changes-on-july-12 ### 2026-07-09: Bosnia road works and marathon cause widespread traffic delays Road works on Bosnia's A‑1 highway, weight limits, border queue caps and marathon traffic lead to widespread detours and restrictions. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-road-works-and-marathon-cause-widespread-traffic-delays ### 2026-07-08: Zagreb reopens Zvonimirova tramway construction site after fence installed Zagreb mayor says Zvonimirova street tramway construction site reopens after contractor installed required safety fence, following State Inspectorate shutdown of three city sites. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-reopens-zvonimirova-tramway-construction-site-after-fence-installed ### 2026-07-06: Zagreb construction sites shut after safety inspection Zagreb inspectors closed three construction sites over safety breaches, demanding fencing and info boards; work on water mains and tramway upgrades is paused, causing traffic delays. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/road-works-cause-traffic-jams-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina-and-croatia ### 2026-07-05: Bosnia traffic jams worsen amid road works and EU entry‑exit delays Road works and the EU Entry/Exit System are causing longer traffic queues and border delays in Bosnia, with a viral driver video highlighting tensions; Serbian airports face similar EES‑related hold‑ups. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-traffic-faces-delays-from-road-works-and-busy-border-crossings ### 2026-07-04: Heavy traffic jams on Croatia's A1 highway near Karlovac and Lučko Traffic jams and stop‑and‑go conditions hit Croatia's A1 near Karlovac and Lučko after several accidents and high vehicle density; police advise caution and note bura‑related restrictions. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-faces-major-traffic-jams-and-road-bans-as-strong-bora-wind-hits-coast ### 2026-07-01: Bosnia and Serbia border delays worsen amid new EU Entry/Exit System Border crossings in Bosnia and Serbia face longer delays due to new EU Entry/Exit System rules, weather, road works and upcoming electronic toll tag enforcement. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-serbia-border-delays-worsen-amid-new-eu-entryexit-system ### 2026-06-29: Traffic disruptions and highway expansion plans in Bosnia and Croatia Heavy rain and road works cause traffic delays at Bosnia’s exit, while Croatia plans a €248 million third lane expansion on the Zagreb‑Karlovac highway. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/traffic-disruptions-and-highway-expansion-plans-in-bosnia-and-croatia ### 2026-06-27: Bosnia and Herzegovina border traffic snarls worsen under new EU Entry/Exit System Road works and Croatia's new Entry/Exit System cause border and highway jams in Bosnia, while the Sarajevo‑Ploče train suffers service cuts and delayed biometric checks. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-border-traffic-snarls-worsen-under-new-eu-entryexit-system ### 2026-06-27: Bosnia and Herzegovina faces weekend border traffic jams and road work disruptions Weekend traffic jams hit Bosnia‑Herzegovina’s border crossings to Croatia, while bans on explosive cargo and road works on the A‑1 highway cause additional delays. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-faces-weekend-border-traffic-jams-and-road-work-disruptions ### 2026-06-26: Ajvatovica Festival Attracts Thousands of Pilgrims and 320 Horsemen in Bosnia The 516th Days of Ajvatovica festival in Donji Vakuf drew thousands of pilgrims, 320 horse riders and featured cultural performances; authorities warned drivers of road closures and heavy traffic on 27‑28 June 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ajvatovica-festival-attracts-thousands-of-pilgrims-and-320-horsemen-in-bosnia ### 2026-06-26: Bosnia-Herzegovina border crossings see massive traffic jams amid new EU entry system and heat Heat and a new EU passenger‑registration system caused massive traffic jams at Bosnia‑Herzegovina–Croatia border crossings, especially at Izačić, prompting safety warnings for drivers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-herzegovina-border-crossings-see-massive-traffic-jams-amid-new-eu-entry-system-and-heat ### 2026-06-22: Croatia and Bosnia confront summer border congestion and human‑smuggling crackdown Croatia and Bosnia face summer border jams, open two new crossings to ease traffic, and police arrest five human‑smuggling suspects. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-and-bosnia-confront-summer-border-congestion-and-humansmuggling-crackdown ### 2026-06-22: Bosnia enforces traffic changes for Ajvatovica festival and hosts youth activities Bosnia imposes traffic bans and redirects on M‑5/M‑16 for the Ajvatovica festival (23‑28 June 2026) and hosts youth groups in related sports and cultural events. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbias-june-cultural-program-highlights-film-restorations-documentaries-and-vidovdan-festivals ### 2026-06-21: Karavanke tunnel closure and regional road works cause widespread traffic disruptions Karavanke tunnel closure, Bosnian border queue, Serbian tunnel cleaning, Slovenian holiday traffic warnings, and Croatian bus route changes all create regional road disruptions. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbian-road-authority-schedules-tunnel-cleaning-brief-traffic-stops-expected ### 2026-06-19: Bosnia and Herzegovina sees heightened road congestion and border delays amid summer traffic surge Summer traffic surges cause road works, lane closures and border delays in Bosnia, while Croatia reports 98 deaths (32 motorcyclists) and Montenegro imposes heat‑related restrictions. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/road-works-disrupt-major-highway-segments-across-bosnia-and-herzegovina ### 2026-06-18: Croatia‑Bosnia border openings and road works reshape summer traffic New 24‑hour border crossings allow empty N1 trucks, while widespread road works in Bosnia impose lane cuts, alternating traffic and weight limits, prompting driver cautions. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-road-works-disrupt-highways-and-border-crossings ### 2026-06-17: Balkan roadworks spark traffic congestion and delays Roadworks and weight limits on key routes in Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro cause traffic delays as summer travel peaks; drivers urged to follow detours and new TAG fines in Serbia. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosniaherzegovinas-western-balkans-corridor-remains-key-eu-migration-route-amid-rising-border-traffi --- Cite as: Western Balkans traffic disruptions persist. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-summer-roadwork-traffic-congestion