Proposed Slovakia tunnel project delayed

Delays seem likely for the project to build a tunnel link between Turany and Hubova in Slovakia. The 5.7km tunnel will form part of the D1 highway when complete but the construction schedule is being held back as the planned route runs through an aquifer area that provides water sources to three communities in the vicinity. A new route will have to be found so as to minimise the environmental impact. With the original timeline, construction of the tunnel could have commenced in 2017. But given the need to find a new alignment and possibly redesign the tunnels, building work may well be delayed until 2019. This is highly likely to push the completion date back further, and possibly as far as 2024.