Slovakia Awards €230 Million Contract for Key D3 Motorway Expansion Between Oščadnica and Čadca
23 Oct 2025
Slovakia - 30 September 2025Národná diaľničná spoločnosť, a.s. (NDS) has awarded a €230.4 million contract for the construction of the D3 Oščadnica–Čadca, Bukov, II. polprofil motorway section, which is a significant infrastructure development for northern Slovakia. Under the terms of the FIDIC Yellow Book contract, the victorious consortium, headed by VÁHOSTAV, a.s., in collaboration with Metrostav DS a.s. and Duna Aszfalt Zrt. of Hungary, will complete the project. Signed on September 30, 2025, the agreement is a significant step towards the expansion of the D3 highway corridor.Goals and Scope of the ContractAlong with significant utility relocations and environmental protection measures, the awarded works include the construction of a 5.3-kilometer motorway section that includes a 0.6-kilometer tunnel, 21 bridges, 18 retaining walls, and 31 noise barriers. There are also plans for a new road maintenance centre and rest area along the highway. The main objective of the project is to finish the D3 motorway's second carriageway (II. polprofil), which will alleviate existing capacity issues, especially at the Horelica Tunnel where traffic volumes have reached saturation.The project is expected to take 1,675 days, or roughly 4.5 years, to complete by early 2030.Funding and Contract ValueThe final contract value is €230,389,465.08 (VAT excluded), which is less than the €306 million initial estimate. The project may eventually profit from co-financing under Slovakia's transport infrastructure development frameworks, even though it is not currently directly funded by EU funds.Purchasing and ChoosingUnder Directive 2014/24/EU, the procurement was carried out through an open procedure with a focus on the lowest price as the only award criterion (100% weighting). The consortium led by VÁHOSTAV made the most cost-effective bid out of the two received tenders. The procedure complied with the EU Foreign Subsidy Regulation (2022/2560) as well as Slovakia's public procurement laws.Profile of the Winning Consortium A well-known Slovak construction company with a wealth of experience building bridges and motorways throughout Central Europe is VÁHOSTAV, a.s. Metrostav DS a.s. is a prominent Slovak division of the Metrostav Group, renowned for its tunnel and large-scale transportation engineering proficiency. Duna Aszfalt Zrt. is a Hungarian infrastructure expert known for its contribution to the construction of regional highways and cross-border transportation connections. These partners will work together to tackle one of Slovakia's most difficult highway projects by contributing their demonstrated technical expertise and local knowledge.Strategic SignificanceAs part of the TEN-T network, the D3 motorway is a vital north-south route that links Žilina with Poland's S1 motorway. On one of Slovakia's busiest cross-border routes, the completion of the Oščadnica-Čadca section will reduce traffic, increase freight efficiency, and improve safety.In keeping with NDS's sustainable procurement goals, the project also incorporates social and environmental commitments, such as the creation of a wildlife migration corridor and local employment opportunities.In summary:A key component of Slovakia's national highway strategy, the D3 Oščadnica-Čadca, Bukov project aims to improve economic growth and regional connectivity. Construction will soon start with the addition of the VÁHOSTAV-Metrostav DS-Duna Aszfalt consortium, opening the way for quicker and safer travel through the Kysuce region and a closer connection between Slovakia and its northern neighbours. Tags: #Slovakia #HighwayConstruction #D3Motorway #PublicProcurement #ContractAward #Infrastructure #TransportProjects #Vahostav #Metrostav #DunaAszfalt #TenderResults #GovernmentContracts #ŽilinskýKraj #EUInfrastructure #ProcurementNews
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Skanska SK Wins €261 Million Contract for D3 Motorway Construction in Northern Slovakia
15 Oct 2025
Bratislava, Slovakia - October 14, 2025 The National Highway Company, Inc. (Národná diaľničná spoločnosť, NDS) has officially awarded a major road construction contract worth €261.3 million (excluding VAT) to Skanska SK a.s. for the D3 motorway section between Kysucké Nové Mesto and Oščadnica. The project, declared a strategic national investment, is a key component of Slovakia’s efforts to enhance its trans-European transport network and improve connectivity in the Žilina Region.A Strategic Investment for the Kysuce RegionThe awarded project covers the design and construction of a 9.6-kilometre section of the D3 motorway, starting near Kysucké Nové Mesto and extending to Oščadnica, within the districts of Kysucké Nové Mesto and Čadca. The section will feature multiple bridge structures, complex terrain alignment, and dual-level driving lanes across steep forested areas.The construction is scheduled to last 1,280 days (approximately 3.5 years) from contract commencement. Once completed, the motorway will significantly reduce congestion and traffic emissions, especially from heavy freight vehicles along the existing I/11 corridor, improving both regional mobility and road safety.Procurement Details and ParticipantsThe open tender procedure attracted five bids, with Skanska SK emerging as the lowest-priced, compliant offer, valued at €261,319,652.39. The estimated contract value at tender launch was €307.3 million, indicating a competitive bidding environment. The procurement falls under Directive 2014/24/EU and complies with the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Although not initially financed by EU funds, the project may later receive co-financing under EU infrastructure programs, according to NDS.The evaluation criterion was based entirely on price (100%), underlining the government’s commitment to transparent and cost-effective procurement. Approximately 22% of the works will be subcontracted, covering specialized fields such as bridge and road construction, engineering networks, and archaeological monitoring.About the Contracting EntitiesThe National Highway Company (NDS), headquartered in Bratislava, oversees Slovakia’s motorway development and maintenance under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport. The organization continues to deliver critical infrastructure under the country’s long-term D3 motorway expansion strategy, linking Žilina to Poland and the Czech Republic through the Kysuce corridor.Skanska SK a.s., a subsidiary of the global Skanska Group, is one of Slovakia’s leading construction firms, specializing in transport, civil, and industrial infrastructure. With decades of experience in large-scale projects, Skanska’s selection reinforces its reputation for delivering high-quality, sustainable road construction across Central Europe.Broader Economic and Regional ImpactThe D3 Kysucké Nové Mesto - Oščadnica section is expected to boost regional economic growth by improving access for logistics, trade enviroment, and tourism. The project aligns with the Slovak government’s strategy to reduce traffic bottlenecks on one of the country’s most congested routes and support cross-border mobility within the Carpathian region.Designated as a strategic investment under Act No. 142/2024, the motorway’s development underscores the Slovak government’s focus on infrastructure modernization and sustainable mobility solutions.Construction is set to begin following final administrative approvals, with the completed section poised to become a vital link in Slovakia’s northern transport network.Tags: #Slovakia, #D3 motorway, #Skanska SK, #highway, #Kysucké Nové Mesto, #Oščadnica, #Žilina Region, #contract award, #publish tenders, #procurement news, #tenders, #government contracts, #infrastructure, #Slovakia Public Procurement
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