Slovakia has officially inaugurated its longest motorway tunnel, the Visnove Tunnel, with Prime Minister Robert Fico attending the opening ceremony by rollerblading through the 7.5 km‑long structure. The tunnel’s completion marks a significant achievement for the country after more than three decades of planning and over ten years of construction.
The Visnove Tunnel is a key component of a new 13.5 km section of the D1 motorway, the oldest, longest, and busiest east‑west road in Slovakia. This motorway spans most of the country’s territory and includes multiple bridges, such as those that cut through the Mala Fatra mountains. The new stretch is expected to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce travel times by at least 15 minutes, providing relief to an older section of the D1 that is notoriously prone to accidents.
The project’s history dates back to the early 1990s, when it was first proposed in then‑Czechoslovakia. Preparatory work began in 1998, and construction started in the late 2000s under the first Fico government. However, his successor, Mikuláš Dzurinda, halted the project over cost concerns. The initiative was later revived but faced repeated delays, changes of contractors, and missed deadlines.
Prime Minister Fico hailed the tunnel’s opening as a major accomplishment, acknowledging the challenges and setbacks the project endured. The Visnove Tunnel’s completion is expected to have a positive impact on Slovakia’s transportation infrastructure, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the D1 motorway. With the new tunnel now in operation, the country can look forward to improved traffic flow, reduced travel times, and contributions to its economic and social development.
Comments are closed for this story.