The completion date for Slovakia’s troubled Višňové Tunnel has been pushed back again after more technical issues as well as complaints from subcontractors awaiting payment.
Work started on what will be Slovakia’s longest 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 and is 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 13.4 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.
A factor that appears to push back the completion date again is the deterioration of the tunnel due to the hiatus of work when switching contractors. Drainage issues were a major problem, according to media reports. No date has been given for completion.
