Viskupic: Opening of Visnove Tunnel after 27 Years Shows Failings of All Gov'ts

Bratislava, 22 December (TASR) - The opening of the Visnove motorway tunnel after 27 years of waiting is good news for the people and, at the same time, a great reminder, especially for politicians, MP for the opposition Freedom and Slovakia (SaS) party Marian Viskupic wrote on social media on Monday, adding that it shows failings of all governments, from both sides of the political spectrum, including the current one. "The Visnove tunnel project, which began in the late 1990s, was accompanied by nearly three decades of delays, numerous ambiguities, and changes in contractors. All of this contributed to the overall project becoming more expensive," pointed out the MP, noting that almost every step was accompanied by improvisation, suspicions of corruption, and political interference. Legal disputes and arbitrations are still ongoing, and taxpayers will once again pay the bill, he noted. MP and chairwoman of the 'For the People' party Veronika Remisova said that the opening of the Visnove tunnel was possible despite the Smer-SD party and, according to her, the decisions of the previous governments were crucial. "The opening of the tunnel is great news for all drivers, especially people living in Zilina region, who have been stuck in traffic jams for years on their daily commutes to work or school," Remisova stated in a press release. "The newly opened tunnel was completed thanks to a contract for the construction of the tunnel prepared and signed under the governments of Igor Matovic and Eduard Heger, of which the 'For the People' party was a part, and a contract for technological equipment prepared under our government and signed under the government of Ludovit Odor," pointed out the MP. According to her, these contracts were well prepared and brought the construction to completion after decades of delays. am/mcs