Národná 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 Contract
Along 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 Value
The 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 Choosing
Under 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
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A well-known Slovak construction company with a wealth of experience building bridges and motorways throughout Central Europe is VÁHOSTAV, a.s.
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Metrostav DS a.s. is a prominent Slovak division of the Metrostav Group, renowned for its tunnel and large-scale transportation engineering proficiency.
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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 Significance
As 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.
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