Swedish contractor Skanska is starting work on a major highway and tunnel contract in Slovakia. The deal is worth €255 million and was awarded to the firm by Slovakia’s National Highway Authority.
The package of works is for the 13.5km D1 highway stretch between Lietavská Lúčka and Dubná Skala and includes the construction of the Višňové Tunnel. Construction of the Višňové Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in Slovakia, will help reduce journey times in the area around Žilina. Drivers will now be able to use the highway stretch and avoid the existing road section close to Strečno Castle, which suffers heavy congestion. The bypass around Žilina is also expected to reduce pollution in the city, as well as cutting journey times and boosting road safety in the area.
Construction work is now starting and should be complete by the end of 2023. Much of the funding required for the project is being provided by the EU and Skanska won this complex contract in the face of stiff competition from two other leading firms.
Skanska says that the section of the D1 highway between Lietavská Lúčka and Dubná Skala starts at the intersection Lietavská Lúčka. At this point it connects to the previous section of the D1 highway. Behind the crossroads, the route of the highway proceeds to the east, crossing the Porúbka, Rosina and Višňové municipalities until it merges with the Višňové Tunnel. The tunnel passes 7km under the Hoblík hill and ends at the Dubná Skala crossroads.
