Slovakia has officially opened the Višňové Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the country, near the city of Žilina. Prime Minister Robert Fico (SMER-SD) and Transport Minister Jozef Ráž (SMER-SD nominee) cut the ribbon on the new D1 motorway section between Lietavská Lúčka and Dubná Skala. The tunnel began serving drivers on Monday evening.
At 7.5 kilometres, the Višňové Tunnel is part of a 13.5-kilometre motorway stretch and is expected to significantly ease traffic in the congested Strečno area, where around 20,000 vehicles pass daily. Construction, marked by long delays and changes in contractors, lasted more than 27 years. The tunnel includes modern safety technology and has a speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour. It forms a key link on the future D1 motorway between Bratislava and Košice.
Source: TASR
