Slovenia: Ministry re-evaluates highway permit for Novo mesto section

The Slovenian Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning is re-evaluating the application for an integral building permit for the first and second stages of the highway section between Novo mesto vzhod and Osredek. This re-evaluation follows a ruling by the Administrative Court of the Republic of Slovenia, which upheld a lawsuit filed by the 3ROS-jug civil initiative and annulled a previous decision.

The Motorway Company in the Republic of Slovenia (DARS) reported that oral discussions with stakeholders were held in late August. The investor has supplemented the documentation and obtained a new opinion from the Ministry. Additionally, an expert opinion from Dr. Manca Plazar regarding the legality of the state spatial plan for the state road from the A2 Ljubljana–Obrežje motorway to the Maline junction has been obtained, though its contents are not yet public.

Once a building permit is issued and becomes legally binding, DARS will proceed with the second phase of the public procurement process to select a contractor. The exact timeline for the issuance of the permit and the commencement of construction remains unknown.