It is the third longest in Croatia after the Mala Kapela and Sveti Rok tunnels.

It is the only suitable road between Istria and the rest of Croatia for vehicles over 5 tonnes.

In June 2011, BINA Istra announced that design documents were being prepared for construction of the second tunnel tube of the Učka Tunnel, and that construction was scheduled to start in mid-2012, estimating its completion in 2015.

The excavation of the second 5.63 km (3.50 mi) tunnel tube started on 17 December 2020 and was officially completed on the 18 September 2023.

[7][9] In the existing tunnel tube, upgrades of the emergency and signalization systems are ongoing.