📋 Tender Overview
Today, the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Jernej Vrtovec, together with representatives of the DARS company, viewed the progress of the construction of the northern part of the 3rd development axis between Velenj and Slovenj Gradec. During the working tour, the progress of construction, the state of individual sections and further activities in one of the largest infrastructure projects in Slovenia were presented.1 / 5
The tour began at section C - Skale, where construction of the Skale viaduct is underway, and continued at the viewpoint above the Velunje valley, from where it is possible to inspect the construction sites of the second section of the expressway. DARS representatives informed the minister about the progress of construction on the active sections and about further steps on the sections Sentrupert-Velenje, Slovenj Gradec-Dravograd and Otiski Vrh-Prevalje.
Minister Vrtovec emphasized: The third development axis remains one of the key infrastructural priorities of the country, both in the northern and southern parts. Today I am on the northern part of the route, where construction work is intensively taking place, and at the same time we are working to speed up all procedures even more. According to the current schedule, the section between Slovenj Gradec and Velenje will be open by the fall of 2029, and I will insist that these deadlines are also respected.
At the same time, I would like to remind you that in 2020, as minister, I opened the construction of the third development axis, and at that time it was announced that the project would be completed by 2026. Therefore, I call on all stakeholders involved in the siting and obtaining permits to act responsibly and not to complicate the implementation of the project, which is important both for the country and for the residents of this area.
After visiting the construction site, the minister attended a working meeting with the mayors of the Carinthia region in the Municipality of Prevalje. The interlocutors discussed current developments on the route of the 3rd development axis, including the timetable for the construction of the sections Velenje-Slovenj Gradec and Velenje-Sentrupert, as well as the preparation of national spatial plans for the sections Slovenj Gradec-Dravograd and Otiski Vrh-Prevalje. After the meeting, they made statements to the media.
My first full-day field visit was to Carinthia, as I personally want to speed up all the procedures related to the construction of the northern part of the third development axis. We saw the progress of work on the construction site and had a constructive conversation with the mayors. We have agreed that we will meet with the mayors of the municipalities along the route of the northern part of the third development axis every two months in Prevalje, with which we will monitor the progress of the project and eliminate potential obstacles. An interdepartmental working group will also visit the area at the end of September.
At the Ministry of Infrastructure, under my leadership, the construction of the third development axis will be considered as one of the key road infrastructure projects of the 2026-2030 mandate. Our goal is to speed up the implementation of both the northern and southern parts of the project, as it is a development investment of strategic importance for Carinthia, the Savinja Valley and the whole of Slovenia, concluded the Minister of Infrastructure.
The project of the 3rd development axis represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in Slovenia. With the construction of a modern expressway, Carinthia will have a faster, safer and more reliable road connection with the highway network, which will significantly contribute to greater traffic safety, better accessibility of the region and its further economic and social development.
