The new DCR project predicts the arrangement of a cyclist-friendly cycling route, which is placed to the greatest extent possible into the vicinity of the Drava River. The project foresees the yield of all 25 kilometres of already built cycling routes, 64 kilometres takes place on rearranged field, forest and service routes. 40 km of the route is planned as new construction, and only 23 kilometres the Drava Cycling Route is planned along less busy local roads. The total length of the cycling route is approx. 150 km. The estimated cost of the construction of the cycling route is 15 million euros.
The final route of the new Drava Cycling Route could be different in some parts from the one shown in the video overflight.
In 2018, the DRSI Slovenian Infrastructure Agency commissioned the preparation of all missing project documentation for 12 sections. At the same time, construction of the cycling route began at the sections for which the project documentation is already prepared, in the municipalities of Muta, Radlje, Maribor and Ruše. In total, new sections of the cycling route of a length of approx. 10 km will be built in 2018.
The municipalities of Maribor, Miklavž na Dravskem polju, Starše, Hajdina and Ptuj are arranging approx. 20 km of new macadam roads along the Drava River for cyclists in 2018, which will be marked and put into use for cyclists on the Drava Cycling Route by the end of June. By 2019, we plan to set up new information boards along the cycling route and arrange new rest areas for cyclists that will have the same overall design on the entire route of the Drava Cycling Route.
It is planned that every year DRSI, in cooperation with municipalities, will regulate approx. 10-20 km of new sections of cycling routes.
Among the priority sections, is the Podvelka-Fala section, which is currently the most demanding for cyclists. The Drava Cycling Route as a separate cycling route would be completed between 2021 and 2023.
At the end of 2017, the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency replaced the signposts along the 145 kilometre Slovenian section of the Drava Cycling Route between Austria and Croatia. In total, over 400 signposts were either replaced or newly placed, thus ensuring high-quality directions for cyclists along the Drava Cycling Route.