Transport Ministry to Complete Several Projects in 2026

Bratislava, 2 January (TASR) - The Transport Ministry plans to complete dozens of projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan in 2026 and to launch the sale of a single unified travel ticket, while the Kysuce area is to see a construction boom involving the D3 motorway, TASR learnt from the ministry on Friday. "From our point of view, 2025 was a very successful year," stated Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee), who expressed hope that this year will be just as successful. "Right at the beginning we'll kickstart the construction of the D3 motorway. Tough times are ahead for the local people, but I'd like to ask them for patience and strong nerves, as the result will definitely be worth it," added Raz. After having officially launched the construction of the Cadca, Bukov-Oscadnica D3-motorway section earlier this year, foundation stones will also be laid for the remaining two stretches: Oscadnica-Kysucke Nove Mesto and Kysucke Nove Mesto-Zilina, Brodno. The year 2026 should also see the completion of two projects on the D1 motorway, i.e. the Hubova-Ivachnova section of the Ruzomberok bypass and the D1xD4 interchange as part of widening the Bratislava-Triblavina section. However, rail safety is currently the top priority for the ministry, which will continue to work on an action plan to increase rail-transport safety in Slovakia that was approved by the government in December 2025. Several smaller railway projects are also slated for completion at the beginning of this year, such as modernising tracks in Bratislava, Filakovo and the Horehronie area. Also nearing the finish line is the modernisation of the Zilina Hub, the largest project in the history of rail-infrastructure owner ZSR. "The final months of 2025 have shown us that investments in the railways are extremely necessary. Thanks to these projects, passengers will be able to travel by train faster, more comfortably and more safely," stressed Raz. The Recovery and Resilience Plan will also come to an end in the first half of 2026. For the Transport Ministry, this means that dozens of projects to restore historical and protected buildings or build cycle paths around Slovakia will be completed as well. Moreover, a single unified transport ticket for all modes of transport will be introduced, with passengers no longer having to buy separate tickets for trains, buses or public transport. "This system already works in some areas, but launching it nationwide will be a truly major step forward in the quality of travel across Slovakia," added Raz. jrg/df