Raz: EIA Decisions Issued for All Three Missing D3 Sections

Zilina, May 16 (TASR) - Environmental impact assessment (EIA) decisions have already been issued for all three missing sections of the D3 motorway, Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee) told a news conference held at the Povazsky Chlmec highway tunnel in Zilina on Friday. According to the minister, this is the final step allowing the National Highway Company (NDS) to apply for construction permits. The Zilina, Brodno-Kysucke Nove Mesto Section had already received a valid decision, and EIA procedures were completed for the remaining two missing sections on Friday. "A public procurement is simultaneously underway for contractors for all the three sections. It should be completed soon, and we'll be able to sign the contracts. This means we are closer to starting construction," said Raz. Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) stated that NDS had well-prepared documents for the EIA procedure. "The EIA was prepared in a high-quality manner, NDS supplied documents to us that allowed us to make such a quick decision. Anyway, I'm pleased that the process of selecting a contractor is at its very final stage," stated Taraba. Of the three missing D3 sections, the section closest to completion is the Oscadnica-Cadca, Bukov, half-profile. The most advantageous bid in the tender was submitted by a consortium of three companies with Vahostav as the leading member. However, a second objection procedure is still underway at the Public Procurement Office. NDS has already evaluated the tender for the construction of the Kysucke Nove Mesto-Oscadnica stretch, for which the most advantageous bid was made by Skanska SK. The longest missing section, Zilina, Brodno-Kysucke Nove Mesto is waiting for bids submitted in the tender to be evaluated. ko/df