Traffic Routes in Illyrian Provinces: Integration Strategies for a Divided Strategic Area

Abstract

Discussed are the organization and operation of the French Bridge and Road Construction Administration during the period of the Il- lyrian Provinces as well as problems that had emerged during the construction, expansion, and modernization of the local traffic system. The French paid special attention to roads and, in view of financial difficulties and limited resources, particularly to larger projects such as the so-called Napoleon Road, which was to link Ljubljana with Dalmatia, Dubrovnik, and Boka Kotorska. Resorting to forced labor and mobilization of the work force of the local population, they attempted to transfer some of the building costs to municipalities and towns situated in the vicinity of these roads.