By 2010, around 165 kilometres of highways and 80 kilometres of dual
carriageways should be officially opened in Slovakia, according to the highway construction programme approved on December 19. This means that a total of 519 highways should be in operation within three years, which is 68 percent of the planned highway network, as well as 212 kilometres of dual carriageways, which is 21 percent of their planned length.
The revised highway program was submitted to the Cabinet by Transport Minister Ľubomír Vážny. Regarding the outlines of the state budgets, around Sk70 billion could be allocated for the construction of highways and dual carriageways by 2010. However, the public demand and the pace of construction set by the National Highway Company (NDS) are much higher and require higher funding. Therefore, the Cabinet decided to support public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the construction of selected stretches of D2 highway and R1 dual carriageway to the fullest extent.
Fulfilling the time plan of preparation and construction of highways and dual carriageways in Slovakia by 2010 depends on how successfully the PPP projects are implemented. If the projects are not approved, or the completion of individual construction sections stemming from these projects is delayed, the construction schedule will have to be updated. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
