Slovakia’s national motorway operator NDS says it is now evaluating the bids to supply IT systems and equipment for the 7.5 km-long twin-tube Višňové Tunnel.
NDS announced last August that there would be a tender for what it said at the time would likely be a €71.5 million contract. Bidding was opened on March 2. When the Višňové Tunnel opens, it is set to be the country’s longest tunnel.
The contract also includes IT equipment for the D1 motorway stretch Lietavska Lucka – Visnove – Dubna Skala of which the tunnel is a part. But the tunnel project has suffered delays, technical and contractual.
Drainage issues have been appearing because of construction stoppages.
Work started on the tunnel in June 2015. It is also part of the Corridor 5 of the Trans-European Networks (TEN) which links Bratislava with Uzhhorod in Ukraine. It is being financed by the Slovakian government and the European Union through the European Investment Bank.
Swedish contractor Skanska took over the work from the original contractor, the Italian-Slovak consortium of Salini Impregilo – now Webuild – and Dúha, in early 2021. The reportedly €255 million contract was for a 13.4km stretch of the D1 highway between Lietavská Lúčka and Dubná Skala in northern Slovakia, including the 7.5km twin-tube Višňové Tunnel. Completion was expected to be December 2023.
