BRATISLAVA, January 16, (WEBNOVINY) — Transport Minister Jan Figel said on Monday that never before was so much attention devoted to renovation of first-category roads in Slovakia as last year. He expects that massive reconstructing will continue this year. “Last year, we modernized 103 kilometers of first-category roads from EU and state funds. It is a record compared with previous years. Some contracts on road reconstruction and elimination of safety risks have been already signed for 570 kilometers,“ informed the minister. .According to him, intensity of reconstruction works on first-category roads has never been that high for decades. Figel says that is good news for drivers and tourism, as quality first-category roads are fundamental for economic and regional development.
Of 3,300 kilometers first-category roads, almost one-third is in bad condition as the state did not invest in necessary repairs of these roads for decades, which now considerably increases costs. The minister specified that they are saving costs also in this form of investment, when the winning prices are 50-55 percent of the original cost estimates. “We are going to repair 45 bridges on first-category roads that deserve such investment,” continued the minister. He said that this is possible also thanks to the reallocation of EUR 200 million from dual carriageways to first-category roads from the Operational Program Transport.
The Cabinet has approved last year the Program of Continuing Preparation and Construction of Highways and Dual Carriageways for 2011 -2014. According to it, over four years, 130.4 kilometers of highways and dual carriageways should be opened for traffic in Slovakia, with 54.6 kilometers of highways and 75.8 kilometers of dual carriageways to be built. During the four-year period, construction 286.8 kilometers of roads should be launched, including 181.3 kilometers of highways and 105.5 kilometers of dual carriageways.
SITA