PUBLIC tenders to build five stretches of highways and dual carriageways in Slovakia are set to be launched within several weeks. The National Highway Company (NDS) also wants to focus on the completion of ongoing public procurements this year. These include three tenders for the D1 highway from Lietavskáa Lúčka via Višňové up to Dubná Skala. This stretch includes the Višňové tunnel.
The construction of the D1 stretch near Kurimany, where a bridge under construction collapsed on November 2, resulting in the deaths of four workers, will last six to eight months longer than planned. The accident is still under investigation.
Slovakia has built 615 kilometres of highways and dual carriageways over the last 45 years. This represents only one third of the planned 1,864 kilometres. The slow pace of highway construction in Slovakia – 13.6 km per year – does not meet the expectations of the NDS.
Over 122 kilometres of the 434-kilometre flagship D1 Bratislava-Košice highway remains to be built.