A series of important road and tunnel connection works are underway in Slovakia. The 7.5km Visnove Tunnel is being built by a consortium headed by Skanska and should be ready for traffic by 2025. The tunnel runs between Lietavska Lucka and Dubna Skala, forming part of the D1 highway.
However, there are concerns over work for a 13.5km long section of the D1 highway between Hubova and Turany. This stretch will feature the Havran and Korbelka Tunnels. Part of the alignment runs under the Velka Fatra National Park and there are concerns over the effect of the construction work on groundwater levels. The country’s roads firm, NDS, is asking for an exemption for the groundwater issue within the environmental assessment of the work. But the Institute of Water Management (VUVH) has said the effect of the construction activity for the groundwater levels will have to be considered.
Building the section of the R2 highway that connects Krivan with mMtna is costing €233.8 million. The work is being carried out jointly by Doprastav, Strabag and Eurovia. Construction commenced on the section in March 202 and the work includes building a number of bridges.
Building the Kysuce section of the D3 highway is costing €246 million. But work on the second stage of the D3 between Oscadnica and Cadca is running behind schedule. There are also concerns that the link will increase traffic congestion in Cadca itself.
Meanwhile, work for the R4 highway now looks set to be delayed by two to four years. Construction of the Via Carpatia is an important project for Slovakia, as well as for Hungary and Poland. The project is costing some €1 billion.
The Bikos Tunnel forms part of the R4 Presov-Northern bypass and is to open to traffic shortly. The 1.15km tunnel measures 1.15km in length. The bypass is being built by TuCon and Vahostav-SK for €143 million.
A contract has been signed for construction of the second stage of the R4 Presov-Northern bypass. A consortium comprising NDS and Eurovia will build the link having offered a tender of €337.75 million to Slovakia's National Motorway Company (NDS). The work should be complete by late 2027 and work will start in September 2023. The project includes a 10km road section as well as a 1.8km tunnel.
