SPENDING on the construction of motorways and fast main roads for 2005 will increase by 82 percent year-on-year to a total of Sk18.1 billion (€449 million), according to the draft state budget published by Slovakia's Finance Ministry, news wire TASR wrote.
Of this figure, Sk7.8 billion (€193 million) will come from the state budget, Sk4.8 billion (€119 million) from the European Union, and the rest from the new state-run motorway operator Dialničná.
Dialničná will have at its disposal the revenues from motorway stickers, estimated at Sk1.5 billion (€37.2 million) for the year, as well as a loan of Sk4 billion (€99 million).
For 2006 and 2007, the Ministry proposes to increase funding for road construction to Sk19.5 billion (€484 million) and Sk20.8 billion (€516 million) respectively.
The draft budget also proposes to increase funding of the state-run railway company ZSR for its subsidised services, from Sk6.63 billion (€164 million) this year to Sk8.1 billion (€201 million) by 2007.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
