Marija Bistrica, August 27, 1998 (IKA) On August 26, the chairman of the Zagreb Archdiocesan Commission for Preparations for the Visit by Pope John Paul II, Croatian prelate Vladimir Stanković, and the chairman of the Croatian Government Commission for Preparations for the Visit by Pope John Paul II, Dr. Jure Radić, visited the access routes to Marija Bistrica and the eucharistic area around the Shrine of Our Lady of Bistrica. Work on the access routes and area around the shrine is proceeding according to plan will be completed on time. Pilgrims will travel from Sesvete to Marija Bistrica on renovated roads and a newly built road from Belovar Moravce to Bistrica.
A circular traffic route linking Zagreb and Marija Bistrica will be established and extra train service will be provided. The costs for the renovation and construction of the roads and area surrounding the shrine, financed by the state, will total between 30 and 35 million HRK.