by InTrieste
After months of negotiations, Slovenia has agreed to significantly reduce the planned closure period for the H4 expressway, a critical route connecting Italy and Slovenia along the Gorizia-Ljubljana axis. Originally set to last 18 months, the traffic shutdown has now been shortened to seven months, spanning late August to November over the years 2025 and 2026.
The announcement was made by Cristina Amirante, regional councilor for infrastructure and territory, following a meeting at the Prefecture of Trieste. The discussions included key officials such as Luca Ciriani, Italy’s minister for relations with Parliament, Trieste’s Prefect Pietro Signoriello, and Matej Arčon, Slovenia’s deputy prime minister.
“This is a significant development for the region,” Amirante said, highlighting the expressway’s role in cross-border transit and economic activities.
Despite the reduction in closure time, concerns remain over the impact on businesses, particularly those in the logistics sector in the Isontino area. Regional authorities are considering implementing financial support measures akin to the state’s “Ferro Bonus” initiative for rail transport, which incentivizes freight movement by rail rather than road.
“Our aim is to support local enterprises during this transitional period and minimize potential losses in clientele and business opportunities,” Amirante added.
The Slovenian government has not yet detailed any additional mitigation measures but has assured Italian authorities that the revised schedule seeks to balance infrastructure improvements with economic considerations. The H4 expressway upgrades are part of a broader effort to modernize the transport network between the two countries, a project expected to strengthen regional connectivity in the long term.
