Slovakia transport infrastructure upgrades

Slovakia continues to advance several major transport infrastructure projects, though progress varies between rapid completions and significant delays.

In the rail sector, the SWIETELSKY Rail CZ and Elektrizace železnic Praha consortium is modernising the seven-kilometre Karlštejn–Beroun section. By using specialised machine lines to replace the track sub-base, ballast, and superstructure, the project aims to reduce construction time without interrupting train traffic.

On the road network, the Ružomberok bypass on the D1 highway is scheduled to open in the first half of October. Minister of Transport Jozef Ráž noted that the 15-kilometre Hubová–Ivachnová section is nearly complete. This project, which includes the 3.6-kilometre Čebrať Tunnel, faced substantial cost increases and delays due to geological challenges, such as landslide risks near Likavka Castle, necessitating a redesign that extended the tunnel by 1.6 kilometres.

In the Bratislava region, the National Highway Company (NDS) has opened a tender for the design of the D4 Bratislava–Rača to Záhorská Bystrica section. This includes the nearly 12-kilometre Karpaty tunnel, intended to reduce transit truck traffic through the city by 30–40%. Additionally, the left-hand bridge end replacement on the D2 motorway’s Lanfranconi bridge was completed three weeks ahead of schedule, allowing for upcoming road-surface repairs.

Conversely, the R1 highway extension from Banská Bystrica to Slovenská Ľupča has been delayed from September 2026 to December 2028. The postponement is attributed to landfill, gas-pipeline, and permitting issues, alongside the need to address a deteriorating bridge.