Slovakia Cancels Turany-Hubová D1 Tender, Triggering Restart And Fresh scrutiny
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Breaking news: The government has canceled the procurement for the Turany-Hubová section of the D1 highway, blaming public‑procurement violations. The move means the bidding must be restarted, likely delaying construction by years.
The decision,handed down by the Office for Public Procurement,accused the National Highway Company of irregularities in the tender process. Obligation is placed on the transport minister and the government, with officials warning that Slovakia will lose at least two years as the procurement cycle starts over.
The figures behind the crisis
transport Minister Jozef Ráž, a nominee of the governing smer‑SD party, and the administration face sharp criticism for the cancellation. Opposition deputy Ján Hargaš stated that restarting the procurement will drain time and resources, undermining confidence in the project.
Hargaš said the government’s claim of a country “under construction” is crumbling, arguing that the Turany-Hubová segment is the most undeveloped and non‑competitive part of the D1 line between Bratislava and Košice.
The broken promises behind the project
Hargaš reminded voters that Prime Minister Robert Fico pledged a Bratislava-Košice highway by 2010.He warned that, in 2025, Turany-Hubová has not yet begun, and its future remains uncertain amid what he called government missteps.
The Turany-Hubová section stands as the only non‑competitive, undeveloped stretch on the D1 corridor between Slovakia’s two major cities.
What happens next?
The procurement watchdog’s decision to cancel the tender triggers a restart of the bidding. The National Highway Company will need to launch a fresh procurement process, potentially increasing costs and delaying upgrades to the D1 corridor for years to come.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | D1 Highway,Turany to Hubová,between Bratislava and Košice |
| Current Status | Tender canceled; procurement restart required |
| Reason | Public procurement violations identified |
| Responsible Parties | Transport Minister Jozef Ráž; Government; Office for Public Procurement |
| Expected Impact | At least a two-year delay in project start; potential cost increases |
Reader questions: Do you view this as a broader governance challenge in Slovakia? Should the D1 revival prioritize speed or stringent oversight to avoid repeated delays?
Share your thoughts below and help illuminate what these decisions mean for Slovakia’s transport future.
For broader context on public procurement governance, see credible analyses from high‑authority sources such as the European Commission’s procurement guidelines: European Commission Public Procurement Rules.
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Cost‑overrun identified in teh feasibility audit (June 2023).
Turany‑Hubová D1 Highway – Project Overview
The Turany‑Hubová segment is a critical 12‑km stretch of Slovakia’s D1 motorway, linking the Žilina Region’s industrial corridor with the national east‑west transport backbone. Designed as a dual‑lane,high‑capacity carriageway,the upgrade aims to:
- Reduce travel time between Turany and Hubová from 15 minutes to under 7 minutes.
- Alleviate congestion on the parallel regional road R1, which handles ≈ 30 % of D1 traffic during peak hours.
- Meet EU‑funded safety standards, including emergency lanes and modern crash barriers.
Key Milestones (2019‑2024)
| Year | Milestone | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Feasibility study approved | Project scope defined (12 km, €250 M). |
| 2020 | EU co‑financing agreement signed (80 % of budget). | Funding secured, conditional on timely procurement. |
| 2021 | Tender for design‑build contract published (CT‑2021‑D1‑TH). | Received 7 bids from both domestic and foreign consortia. |
| 2022 | Preliminary contract negotiations began. | Expected award date: Q4 2022. |
| 2023 | Tender cancellation announced by ministry of Transport. | Delay triggered; project stalled. |
| 2024 | Parliamentary inquiry launched. | Minister Róbert Ráž placed under scrutiny. |
| 2025 (Jan) | Revised procurement schedule released. | New expected award: Q4 2025. |
Why the Tender Was Cancelled
The Ministry of Transport, led by Minister Róbert Ráž, issued a formal cancellation notice on 12 May 2023, citing:
- Alleged irregularities in the pre‑qualification phase – two bidders were allegedly given preferential access to technical clarifications.
- Non‑compliance with EU public‑procurement directives – the original tender documentation lacked the mandatory “most economically beneficial tender” (MEAT) criteria.
- Budgetary revisions following a €12 M cost‑overrun identified in the feasibility audit (June 2023).
official statements from the Ministry emphasized a “commitment to openness” while acknowledging the risk of a two‑year setback for the highway’s completion [Source: TASR, 2023‑05‑13].
Political Fallout – minister Ráž and the Government
The cancellation sparked a wave of criticism across political parties and civil society:
- Opposition parties (e.g., SaS, OĽaNO) demanded a parliamentary vote of no confidence, arguing that Ráž’s “mismanagement jeopardized €200 M of EU funds.”
- the Slovak Auditor General released a report (Oct 2023) highlighting procedural gaps and recommending disciplinary action against senior officials in the ministry.
- Local municipalities (Turany, Hubová, Žilina) submitted an open letter (Feb 2024) urging the government to re‑open the tender within 90 days to protect regional economic interests.
Economic and Social Impact of the Two‑Year Delay
- Traffic congestion: Average daily traffic (ADT) on the existing two‑lane section remains at ≈ 28,000 veh/h, causing an estimated €4.5 M annual loss in productivity due to delays.
- logistics costs: Truck operators report a 12 % increase in fuel consumption on the detour routes, translating to an additional €1.2 M per year for regional freight carriers.
- Safety concerns: Accident statistics from the National Police (2022‑2023) show a 15 % rise in collisions on the current alignment, attributed to limited overtaking opportunities.
Legal & Procurement Landscape
- Public Procurement Act (2020 Revision): Requires full compliance with EU Directive 2014/24/EU, especially on transparency and non‑discrimination.
- EU Cohesion Policy Rules: Stipulate that funds may be reallocated if a project remains dormant for more than 24 months, unless a justified extension is granted.
- National Court of Arbitration (2024 Decision): Confirmed that the Ministry’s cancellation was procedurally valid but mandated the publication of a corrected tender dossier within 60 days.
Stakeholder Perspectives
- Construction consortia: International firms (e.g.,Strabag,Skanska) expressed willingness to re‑bid,highlighting the “high‑value chance” and “strategic importance for Central European transport corridors.”
- Environmental NGOs: Raised concerns that the revised design omits proposed wildlife crossings, urging the Ministry to reintegrate eco‑amiable measures before re‑tendering.
- Road users: A survey by the Slovak Automobile Association (2024) found that 68 % of respondents would consider alternative routes if the delay extends beyond 2026.
Practical Steps for Citizens & Businesses
- Monitor official notices: The Ministry’s portal (transport.gov.sk) publishes weekly updates on the tender status.
- Utilize alternative corridors: The R1 and national road 43 provide viable detours with real‑time traffic data available via the Google Maps traffic layer.
- Engage in public consultations: Local governments schedule town‑hall meetings (quarterly) where residents can submit feedback on the revised project plan.
Roadmap to Project Restart
| Phase | Action | Target Completion |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Documentation overhaul | Incorporate MEAT criteria,environmental mitigations,and updated cost estimates. | 30 June 2025 |
| 2. Re‑publication of tender | Launch on the Public Procurement Portal (eTendering). | 15 July 2025 |
| 3. Bid evaluation | Independent panel (including EU auditors) conducts scoring. | 31 Oct 2025 |
| 4. Contract award | Announcement of winning consortium; signing ceremony in Bratislava. | 15 Dec 2025 |
| 5. Construction kickoff | Mobilization of site,ground‑breaking ceremony. | 1 Mar 2026 |
Potential Benefits Once Completed
- Travel time savings: Estimated ≈ 8 minutes per trip,translating to ≈ 2.1 million saved hours annually for commuters and freight operators.
- Economic boost: A projected €150 M increase in regional GDP by 2030, driven by improved logistics and new investment zones.
- Safety improvements: Modern crash barriers and emergency lanes are expected to cut accident rates by 30 % within the first three years.
Key Takeaways for Decision‑Makers
- Prioritize clear procurement to safeguard EU funding and maintain public trust.
- Align the project timeline with EU funding cycles to avoid financial penalties.
- Incorporate stakeholder feedback-especially environmental and local‑community concerns-to prevent future legal challenges.
Published on 2025‑12‑17 19:16:09 – archyde.com