'Our Presov' Association Calls for Faster Completion of R4 Expressway (2)

Presov, 12 November (TASR) – The civic association 'Our Presov' organised a public gathering on Wednesday afternoon in the Sekcov housing estate in Presov to support the construction of the R4 expressway, with dozens of people blocking traffic for half an hour. Several municipalities along the Kapusany – Vysny Komarnik route joined the initiative. “We have learned that the timetable for the second stage of the northern bypass is being delayed. The final phase was supposed to be completed in October 2027, but it will be extended by at least one or even two years. That is why we are here – to appeal to the government to find €80 million for the completion of the second stage of the northern bypass and to relieve Presov and the whole region from the current traffic burden,” said Jan Benko from Our Presov. Regarding the construction of the R4 Kapusany – Vysny Komarnik section, mayors and local authorities along the planned route were contacted. “Some municipalities have joined, and we will see what response we get from both the people and mayors,” Benko added. According to him, the road blockade was meant to appeal to the management of the National Highway Company (NDS) and the Transport Ministry to find the mentioned funds for the completion of the northern bypass of Presov and to take concrete action regarding the construction of the R4 Kapusany – Vysny Komarnik section. Rene Polacok from 'Our Presov' added that the start date of construction for the mentioned section is still uncertain. “For the municipalities, it will be an Armageddon scenario, especially when the Polish S19 expressway opens in two years. We will mainly see an increase in lorry traffic. Presov will face even more problems when the industrial park near the Presov airport opens, employing over 3,000 people, as well as the new military hospital in Presov, which will employ more than 2,000, plus patients – so traffic will increase. The Kosice R4 is already seeing traffic growth,” Polacok explained. As NDS spokesperson Tomas Ferencak told TASR, the construction of the R4 Presov – northern bypass, second stage, is proceeding according to the valid schedule. “Adjustments to the timetable are being discussed, as well as the impacts and claims of the contractor due to unforeseen geological conditions – more demanding geology in the tunnel and an unforeseen landslide at the eastern end of the tunnel, which affected the construction organisation plan. The public will be informed in advance about any subsequent schedule changes,” said Ferencak. “We know there have been geological changes, and we are waiting for the contractor's revised schedule, but work is ongoing,” said Transport Minister Jozef Raz (Smer-SD nominee) after Wednesday's government session regarding the northern bypass works. According to Transport Ministry spokesperson Petra Polacikova, the ministry fully recognises the need for and strategic importance of the planned R4 expressway from Kapusany to the Polish border. “The Slovak government has designated the R4 expressway as a strategic investment. The National Highway Company is currently procuring the necessary project documentation to advance the project to the next stage. The R4 route from Svidnik to Kapusany has already undergone an environmental impact assessment. For the Lipniky – Kapusany section, a valid zoning decision has been issued. In recent days, a public tender was announced for documentation for the construction plan,” Polacikova told TASR, adding that the R4 is also being considered as a potential PPP project. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final three paragraphs mf