Višňové Tunnel delays continue

What will be Slovakia’s longest tunnel at 7.5km is facing more technical issues, according to the contractor Skanska.
By David Arminas June 21, 2022 Read time: 1 min
Not a lot happening here: Slovakia’s twin-tube Višňové Tunnel has had a troubled past and is having a troubled present (image © Peter Lovás/Dreamstime)

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.

Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Boring complete for Slovakian tunnel project
    November 30, 2022
    Tunnel boring is now complete for a major Slovakian tunnel project.
    Read More
  • Boring complete for Slovakia’s Bikos Tunnel
    June 11, 2021
    The 1km tunnel is part of the 4.5km dual carriageway R4 Prešov bypass.
    Read More
  • Slovakia tunnel sections underway but some delays
    January 23, 2018
    The route for new tunnel links for Slovakia’s D1 highway has been agreed. New tunnels now look set to be built on the 13.5km stretch between Turany and Hubova section of the D1 highway. This plan calls for the construction of the Korbelka and Havran tunnels at an estimated cost of €900 million. Building these two links would bypass the Lower Fatra mountain range, with the Korbelka Tunnel measuring 5.9km and the Havran Tunnel measuring 2.9km long. The Slovak Environment Ministry rejected an appeal against th
    Read More
  • Plans in hand for Slovakia’s longest tunnel
    June 16, 2014
    In Slovakia plans are being made for a new project that will become the country’s longest tunnel when it is complete. Salini Impregilo is the contractor heading the project. The work looks set to cost in the order of €410 million and the project is due for completion in late 2019 or early 2020. Although there was a lower priced bid for the project, this was excluded due to technical problems relating to the proposed tunnel exits. The Visnove Tunnel will measure some 7.7km long and will be constructed in the
    Read More

Highlighted Content