Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico traded formal speeches for rollerblades this week, gliding through the newly operational Visnove tunnel to mark the completion of one of Central Europe's most delayed infrastructure projects. The 7.5-kilometer passage – Slovakia's longest tunnel – finally connects the D1 highway between Bratislava and Kosice after three decades of planning setbacks and construction pauses.
From Cold War Blueprint to 2025 Reality
First conceived in 1990 following the Velvet Revolution, the tunnel saw groundbreaking in 2014 only to face contract disputes that halted work for two years. Its 2025 opening comes as relief to logistics companies and commuters, with projections showing it will redirect 80% of traffic from a mountainous route responsible for 12% of Slovakia's annual road accidents.
Economic Ripple Effects
Transport analysts predict the tunnel will cut Bratislava-Kosice travel times by 40 minutes, strengthening Slovakia's position in European-Asian trade corridors. However, economists note the €1.2 billion price tag – nearly triple original estimates – continues to spark debate about public spending priorities in Central Europe's automotive manufacturing hub.
